LTC bridges and viaducts

We asked National Highways where the 50 bridges and viaducts of the proposed Lower Thames Crossing are located. they provided us with the following list:

1. Brewers Road Overbridge
2. Thong Lane Over M2 Overbridge
3. A2 Eastbound (EB) to A2 EB Collector (East) Overbridge
4. M2 Underbridge
5. M2 Westbound (WB) Off-clip to Local Road Roundabout Overbridge
6. A2 to A2 EB Collector (West) Overbridge
7. Thong Lane over LTC Overbridge
8. Gravesend East to M2 EB Viaduct
9. LTC Southbound (SB) to A2 WB Viaduct
10. Infiltration Pond Viaduct/HS1 Drainage Pond LTC
11. Tilbury Viaduct
12. Muckingford Road
13. Hoford Road
14. Brentwood Road
15. FP79
16. A1013 over A1089
17. A1013 over LTC
18. A1013 over A13 WB to LTC SB link
19. A13 WB to A1089 over LTC
20. A13 WB to LTC NH viaduct
21. A13 WB to A1089 SB over A13 WB to LTC SB
22. A13 over LTC
23. A13 over LTC Northbound (NB) slips
24. LTC NB to A13 EB over Baker Street
25. Orsett Cock to A13 WB over A13 WB to LTC
26. A13 EB to Orsett Cock over LTC to A13 EB
27. Rectory Road
28. LTC NB to A13 EB over LTC
29. A13 EB to A1089 over LTC NB slips
30. A1089 to LTC SB over LTC
31. Stifford Clays over LTC NB slips
32. Stifford Clays over LTC
33. Green Lane
34. Orsett Fen Viaduct
35. Mar Dyke Viaduct (Main River and BR219)
36. Footpath FP 136
37. B186 North Road
38. FP252 Footbridge over LTC
39. M25 Junction/LTC
40. FP252 Footbridge over Upminster Railway
41. LTC Northbound/Ockendon Rd
42. LTC Off Slip over LTC NB on Slip
43. LTC NB Collector over Main River
44. LTC NB Collector over St Mary’s Lane
45. LTC NB Collector over Shoeburyness Railway
46. FP230 Footbridge (Thames Chase)
47. Footbridge over A127 (East)
48. Footbridge over A127 (West)
49. A13 WB to LTC NB over A13 WB to LTC SB
50. Tilbury Access Overbridge

What might we expect for the viaducts?

Here are a few photos of a viaduct on the National Highways A14 Cambs project, from back when we went on a site visit to try and get a better understanding of what a large road construction project is like.  We were told this viaduct is similar to what we might expect if the proposed LTC goes ahead.

 

Green bridges

When you think of green bridges you would be forgiven for thinking of a wide bridges with plants, hedges, with wildlife happily wandering safely across.  The reality is the kind of bridge you’re most likely thinking about is actually what is known as a wildlife bridge rather than a green bridge.  And certainly not the reality of what NH/LTC are proposing for the LTC.

At consultations we’ve been told that the ‘green’ bridge at North Road for example would have little if any hedgerow for example due to visibility issues for traffic.

Another example, the Thong Lane ‘green’ bridge ends with a T-junction, ultimately guiding wildlife to  the danger and risks of a busy road junction.  Should this really be considered a ‘green’ bridge?  (Click image to enlarge)

How is wildlife supposed to know where these so called ‘green’ bridges are?  Even if it does there are clearly no guarantees they will offer safe passage.  There’s no proven mitigation for bats when it comes to new roads either.

So when you hear NH/LTC talking about ‘green’ bridges and the ‘greenest’ road every built in the UK, just remember that sadly things are not always as they like to portray.