Lower Thames Crossing proposals threaten ancient woods in Kent and Essex
Three of the five options proposed by Highways Englandfor the Lower Thames Crossing - a solution to ease congestion over the Dartford Crossing - would cause extensive irreversible damage to up to 13 areas of irreplaceable ancient woodland in Kent and Essex according to the Woodland Trust.
One route would set a precedent for the direct loss of an area of woodland planted as partial compensation for the loss of eight areas of ancient woodland to the A2/M2 widening scheme, the planting was even recognised with an award for the quality of the mitigation.
The proposed solutions will see the construction of a tunnel underneath the Thames Estuary, avoiding direct impacts upon the internationally important habitats of the North Kent Marshes and Thames Estuary, with the new crossing linked to the existing road network with the construction of new roads and widening of existing ones.
North of the River Thames, in Essex, there are three possible route options to enable access to a new crossing (there is no ‘route one’):
• Route Two will pass close to ancient Chadwell Wood next to the A1089, although the detail is currently unclear it will cause disturbance and may cause direct loss.
• Route Three has no ancient woodland along the route.
• Route Four would result in direct loss within eight ancient woods, including Thick Shaw, part of Thorndon Country Park’s SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) woodland complex.
South of the Thames, in Kent, there are two route options proposed, both of which impact ancient woodland:
• The Eastern Southern link will harm three ancient woods, including the SSSI-designated Great Crabbles Wood, and result in direct loss to an area of land planted as part of compensation for the loss of ancient woodland for the A2/M2 widening.
• The Western Southern route will result in direct loss to two woods, one ancient wood called Claylane Wood and another, Shorne Wood, that is SSSI-designated and partially ancient.
Over 2,100 people have sent an objection to Highways England via the Woodland Trust, opposing the routes which could cause damage to ancient woodland.
Oliver Newham, Woodland Trust lead campaigner, said: “Yet again irreplaceable ancient woodland is considered dispensable in a major construction project. Surveys show these woods are incredibly valuable; home to badgers, rare orchids and all three species of woodpecker which breed in the UK.
“It also highlights a further flaw in the planning process, with one proposal set to result in the loss of the very woodland planted to compensate for destruction of a previous ancient woodland – you couldn’t make it up.”
The charity is currently aware of 588 ancient woods threatened across the UK, 336 of which are in England. The Trust is encouraging anyone who objects to the loss of ancient woodland due to the proposed Lower Thames Crossing to respond to the public consultation before the March 24 deadline at woodlandtrust.org.uk/campaigning.
