Lower Thames Crossing supplementary consultation - Changes to the route - South of the river in Kent

Removal of the M2/A2 link at M2 junction 1
The link between the A2 eastbound link road and the M2 eastbound has been removed. This has been replaced by the new link road connecting Valley Drive in Gravesend to the M2 eastbound.

M2/A2 narrowing
We have made alterations to minimise the footprint of the road through the AONB and Shorne Woods Country Park.

On both M2 carriageways, the fourth lane has been reverted to standard width, where possible, through the AONB. The central reservation between the Brewers Road bridge and the Park Pale bridge has been reduced in width. The hard shoulder has also been removed from the eastbound link road along the A2. To mitigate this it has been replaced with a hard strip and if an incident occurs we will use technology to control the traffic to prevent the link road backing up into the tunnel. A hard shoulder has been retained on the Brewers Road eastbound slip to accomodate broken-down vehicles at this junction.

The M2/A2 junction
This has been altered significantly to provide a more compact layout. Now, the north-facing slip roads do not extend as far northward up the route which allows the southern tunnel entrance to be moved 350 metres south. The main changes are:

• A new junction now partially encroaches into the Claylane Ancient Woodland as a result of the southern tunnel entrance move and the new connection from Valley Drive (see below).
• The main route of the LTC is located further away from Thong, Thong Lane and the Shorne Woods Country Park.

A new connection has been added to the junction between the Valley Drive roundabout and the M2 in the eastbound direction to make journeys for motorists travelling from Gravesend more direct. This connection will also provide access to the LTC northbound.

A2 local connections
We have modified the Gravesend East junction, roundabouts and local link roads to reduce congestion and provide better connections with the existing Marling Cross bridge and Henhurst Road.

We have moved the A2 westbound slip road to Brewers Road slip road further west, from the Halfpence Lane roundabout to the new roundabout west of Thong Lane off the A2, to avoid HS1 land.

Changes have been made to the walkers, cyclists and horseriding network around the A2 junction. Please see section 5 for more information.

Southern tunnel entrance redesign
We have extended the tunnel southwards, which has moved the entrance 350 metres to the south. This has also required the tunnel to move approximately 50 metres to the west. This change should lessen any potential impacts on the Thames Estuary and Marshes Ramsar site and Special Protection Area. However, as a result of reducing the impact on the Thames Estuary and Marshes Ramsar site, the junction now encroaches into the Claylane Ancient Woodlands. Moving the entrance south will move the road away from properties in Chalk. In addition, this change will enable a dry evacuation above water level and reduce the permanent land needed in this area.

Southern tunnel entrance maintenance and access road
The width of the private maintenance and access road corridor around the southern tunnel entrance has been increased from eight metres to 12 metres. This provides enough space for drainage, lighting, a safety barrier and a road that can cater for two-way traffic.

The private maintenance and access road to the A226 has been moved to the west, away from the Church Lane junction that provides access to St Mary’s Church, Chalk. The new location for the access road also moves it away from the church, which some consultation respondents told us they were concerned about.

South of the river in Kent - M2/A2 junction proposals

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M2/A2 junction connections – to and from the LTC junction connections – to and from the LTC
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M2/A2 junction connections – from London and Kent
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