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The Project Control Framework
On 1st April 2008 we launched the Project Control Framework. The Framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major improvement projects.
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Landscape
Landscape
Overview of Effects
In the northern half of the area undulating ridges result in enclosed restricted views with dense vegetation alternated with open views of low lying farmland. Further south the undulating ridges are left behind and views become more open as the landscape levels out on approach to the Thames. With a higher population and with larger villages and towns a transition between the countryside and urban areas becomes more apparent. The landscape surrounding the existing motorway includes the Roding Valley, Weald Country Park and Thames Chase Community Forest. There are also numerous towns, villages, scattered houses, public rights of way, roads and railways. The existing motorway is currently a visible element in many views, particularly where it crosses rivers or dry valleys or is on high embankments or viaducts.
The Scheme will have an impact on the landscape and views resulting from the initial loss of vegetation within the motorway fence line and from new gantries, signs and lighting. Effects will be reduced in the long term by new planting, enhancement of existing vegetation and environmental barriers. These will help to screen the Scheme from sensitive viewpoints and assist with its wider visual integration into the landscape.
Roding Valley
The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan (2001), supplemented by the Essex Landscape Character Assessment (April 2003) includes the Roding Valley landscape character area.
This landscape, in which the motorway is a dominant feature, is situated immediately east of Junction 27. The Roding Valley is a broad, gently sloping valley with low rounded hills between the tributaries of the River Roding. The landscape is fairly open with tree-hedged fields of varying size on the valley slopes and smaller meadows in the valley bottom. The Roding Valley is sparsely settled by occasional farmsteads and it encompasses Theydon Mount, a registered historic park/garden on the northern side of the motorway.
Weald Country Park
Weald Country Park is just west of Junction 28 and is one of three Registered Historic Parks/Gardens and seven Conservation areas that lie within the 1km Section 4 study corridor. Weald Park has also been designated as a Protected Urban Open Space area and Special Landscape Area.
Extensive areas of woodland protected by Tree Preservation Orders contribute to a locally well wooded appearance. Weald Park is the host venue for the cycling (BMX and mountain bike) Olympic event. The venue has the capacity to hold 3,000 seated spectators.
Thames Chase Community Forest
Thames Chase Community Forest is a regionally important site for its landscape and amenity value. It extends south on both sides of the motorway from Junction 28 to 30.
This extensive area of establishing broadleaved plantation woodland is already starting to make a positive contribution to the character of the landscape in the area, which has suffered in the past from extensive quarrying. As the plantations mature they are expected to continue to alter the landscape in the area up to the opening of the scheme and beyond.
The Thames Chase Partnership aims to increase the woodland cover in the Thames Chase area (East London and South-West Essex) to 30% by 2030. This aim has been considered in assessing the potential impacts of the Scheme.
