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| Source: Highways England What's the deal with Dartford Traffic? Just ask anybody from Dartford and they will have plenty to say on the matter! Routinely the M25 experiences traffic delays which can be exacerbated by trouble on the A2 snarling up road junctions in the surrounding areas. Before long local roads inevitably back up and the whole of Dartford routinely grinds to a stand still, a hostage to the traffic. Fun fact (ready irony here), the detrimental impact to local air quality is significant 'For much of a typical day in many areas close to the crossing does not meet current air quality standards.' The proposed solution is to build a Lower Thames Crossing to release pressure on Dartford/Thurrock crossing point. The road will be 23km long including a 4km twin tunnel. It will be the second longest road in the country connecting Gravesham, Kent with Turrock. The project is expected to be completed in 2027. Traffic capacity will increase across the Thames from 4 lanes in each direction to 7. It is estimated to create 6,000 jobs and £8bn of economic benefits. This calls into question the impact on local roads where the crossing is being built. Will they experience the same problems that Dartford residents do now? For the people of Dartford however this is potentially going to have a massive impact on quality of life. Understandably many of those directly affected by the crossing are fighting strongly against it. If understood correctly they have some of the following concerns: -an increase in local air and noise pollution -extra traffic -development on greenbelt land -the new crossing will simply not be enough to eleviate congestion problems. |
Bluewater is an out of town shopping centre located in Greenhithe just outside of Dartford. In May 1996 building of the Shopping Centre began at the site of a former chalk quarry. Tunnels were excavated under Bean Road to join the Eastern and Western Quarries allowing sand to be transported to the site. Its lakes were partially drained in preparation for construction of the basement levels and the cliffs were remodelled to permit vehicular access to the site. It is built across 20 hectares of lakes and parkland. Bluewater opened on 16th March 1999. The layout is a triangular design with a flagship store at each corner; Marks&Spencer, John Lewis and House of Fraser. This layout is considered easier for navigation. To reflect the surrounding lakes swathes of glass are incorporated into the architecture. The ventilation system is based on the traditional oast house with fresh air brought through rotating aluminium vents on th...
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