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Phase 1: bean to pepperhill widening proposals
Phase 1: Bean to Pepperhill Widening Proposals
Purpose of the Environmental Statement
The Environmental Statement describes the proposals, their main effects on the environment and the measures developed to mitigate any adverse environmental effects. Its purpose is to ensure that the public understands the proposals and is given the opportunity to express an opinion on them before the Secretary of State decides whether to proceed with the scheme. The Environmental Statement for Phase 1 has been issued in accordance with EC Directive 85/337/EEC (on the assessment of the effects of certain public projects on the environment), as amended by Directive 97/11/EC, and as applied in England and Wales by Section 105 of the Highways Act 1990, as amended by the Highways (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999.
Introduction
Phase 1: Bean to Pepperhill Widening Proposals
Introduction
The Highways Agency is proposing to widen the A2 between Bean and Cobham to provide four lanes in each direction. The Scheme is being progressed in two phases with Phase 1 running from Bean to Pepperhill and Phase 2 from Pepperhill to Cobham. This site explains the proposals for Phase 1 and summarises the associated Environmental Statement in non-technical language. A separate site is available describing the options proposed for the Phase 2 scheme.
The need for the scheme
The A2 between Bean and Cobham carries over 110,000 vehicles per day and suffers from considerable congestion, particularly during peak hours. In the future, as traffic flows on the road increase and local regeneration in the Kent Thames-side area of North Kent accelerates, this situation will worsen. The Scheme is designed to alleviate this congestion, improve safety and contribute to an integrated and sustainable transport strategy for the Kent Thames-side area. This would be achieved by improving service levels and journey time reliability and by providing better access to local regeneration areas. Phase 1 of the Scheme takes account of the proposed construction of Ebbsfleet Junction and the cut and cover tunnel under the A2 at Pepperhill which are required as part of Section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL).
Summary of the proposals
Phase 1: Bean to Pepperhill Widening Proposals
Summary of the proposals
The widening works would be contained within the existing highway boundary with only minor alterations to existing junctions and bridges. This would be achieved in the following way:
- A fourth lane would be added to the London bound carriageway between Pepperhill and Bean. New hardshoulders would be provided except at some bridges.
- The number of lanes on the coast bound carriageway would remain unchanged between Bean and the proposed CTRL Ebbsfleet Junction. The A2 has already been widened to four lanes as part of the works associated with Bluewater between Swanscombe footbridge and Pepperhill.
- Between the CTRL Ebbsfleet Junction and Pepperhill the coast bound carriageway would be re-marked as three lanes.
- The coast bound slip road onto the A2 just west of the Swanscombe footbridge would be realigned to improve the way traffic joins the main carriageway of the A2.
The works would include the following:- Resurfacing of both carriageways with a low noise surface throughout the length of the scheme.
- Noise fences in some locations.
- Reinforced earthworks or retaining walls where required to keep the widening within the existing highway boundary.
- Additional sign/signal gantries.
- New lighting, designed to minimise light spillage outside the highway boundary, to replace the existing.
- New tree and shrub planting where space allows.
A plan of the proposals can be found by clicking here.
Environmental Effects
Phase 1: Bean to Pepperhill Widening Proposals
Environmental Effects
Widening the A2 within the existing highway boundary between Bean and Pepperhill would be likely to have a relatively slight impact on the environment, given the presence of the existing road corridor.
The main environmental impacts of the Scheme would be the loss of semi-mature planting on the existing verge, some increase in visual impact for a small number of properties close to the road (particularly in the short term) and the potential disturbance of archaeological remains. There would also be some temporary disruption to local access during the construction phase. Dormice have been found to be present in the Thrift, outside the area affected by the widening.
There would be a number of environmental benefits associated with the Scheme. The use of low noise road surfacing materials and noise barriers would reduce traffic noise. Some potential exists for creative conservation with landscape works establishing small areas of semi-natural planting and wildflower grassland. The planting would also provide better linkage between woodland blocks on the highway boundary and, in the longer term, would go some way to reducing the visual impact. The provision of a combined footway/cycleway would improve local access and safety for non-vehicular travellers.
Effects of Phase 1
Phase 1: Bean to Pepperhill Widening Proposals
Effects of Phase 1
| Topic | Effects of Scheme | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Noise | Residential properties close to the A2 currently experience high noise levels. The use of low noise surfacing and the construction of noise fences would mean that, in the assessment year of 2021, noise levels would be less than existing for 82% of properties within 300m of the A2. | Positive |
| Air Quality | Residential properties close to the A2 currently experience poor air quality. Phase 1 itself is likely to have a neutral effect on local air quality, but future improvements are likely as a result of improving exhaust emission technology and "cleaner" vehicles. | Neutral |
| Landscape and Visual Impact | The Scheme would have a neutral to slightly positive impact on local landscape quality. Improved screening would mean that, in the assessment year of 2021, 36% of properties would experience an improvement in views compared to the existing situation, with the remainder experiencing no significant change. | Positive |
| Nature Conservation | There would be some loss of existing vegetation from the roadside verges. However, much of this would be replaced and flora and fauna encouraged through the use of native tree and shrub planting and wildflower seeding on the new verges. | Positive |
| Heritage | Phase 1 may affect four known archaeological sites and three historic roads. There is also a risk of disturbing unknown archaeology but this is small given that all works would be within the existing highway boundary. Detailed archaeological investigations and supervision during construction would ensure all archaeology was properly excavated and recorded. | Negative |
| Water Quality | There would be slightly increased levels of contaminants in highway drainage and an increased risk of spillage due to increased traffic flows. However, the introduction of pollution control measures at drainage outfalls, where none exist at present, would result in water quality improvements. | Positive |
| Drainage | The additional area of carriageway would result in a slightly higher volume of drainage being discharged from the road. However, this additional flow would be unlikely to result in any increase in flood risk. | Neutral |
| Non-vehicle Travellers | An existing footway along the north side of the A2 would be widened to provide a combined footway/cycleway. All other rights of way would be maintained. | Positive |
| Vehicle Travellers | Vehicle journey times for people using the A2 would be reduced. Existing vehicle access across the A2 would be maintained. | Positive |
Plan of Scheme
Phase 1: Bean to Pepperhill Widening Proposals
Plan of Scheme
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Your Views
Phase 1: Bean to Pepperhill Widening Proposals
Your Views
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals should write to the Highways Agency at the Birmingham address given on the next page of this site.
The closing date for comments is 4th June 2001. Only after carefully considering all comments and representations will the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions decide whether to proceed with the Phase 1 Scheme as proposed. A copy of the letter announcing the decision will be sent to all those who comment on the proposals.
Copies of the Environmental Statement may be purchased from the Highways Agency at the Birmingham address. The Environmental Statement is priced at £8.00 for Volume 1 (text) and £31.00 for Volume 2 (figures).
Further information
Phase 1: Bean to Pepperhill Widening Proposals
Further information
Copies of the Environmental Statement and other documents may be inspected free of charge during office hours at the following deposit locations:
- Kent County Council, Strategic Planning, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XX
- Dartford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1DR
- Coldharbour Library, Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, Kent, DA11 8AE
- Highways Agency, Room C8, 5 Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1BL
- Highways Agency, Federated House, London Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SZ
- Gravesham Borough Council, Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1AU
- Bean Post Office, Southfleet Road, Bean, Dartford, Kent, DA2 8BS
- Gravesend Library, Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1BE
- Highways Agency, Information Point, St Christopher House, Southwark Street, London, SE1 0TE
For more information telephone the Highways Agency on 08457 50 40 30