Ground Penetrating Radar surveys
From Monday, 28th October Highways England will start Ground Penetrating Radar surveys (GPR) going on until mid December 2019. Highways England have emailed us to say they wanted to assure us that these are not noisy or intrusive works. They have provided details of the activities and what we can expect:
Why they are doing it
These surveys will give them a clear picture of the locations and types of utilities in the carriageway where they may be building. This will help them to improve their proposals and to develop their application for the Development Consent Order (DCO).
What they will do
HE will be carrying out the works using equipment called a Ground Penetrating Radar. GPR uses radar pulses to create a profile of what the ground looks like beneath the surface.
The two types of GPR they will be using are:
Push GPR
The Push GPR is similar to a lawnmower in appearance and is used on paths and walkways where an operative will push the equipment along to collect information.
Mobile GPR
Mobile GPR uses equipment attached to a van or tractor. This will be used on the roads to carry out the non-invasive surveys. They will be carrying out the majority of the works using this method.
What to expect
HE say their priority is to carry out this programme of work in a way that will have the smallest possible impact on the community. They have been and are continuing to work with all the relevant Local Authorities to reduce any disruption that may be caused and to obtain the necessary approvals.
The works will be carried out in two phases with the first phase involving a slow moving survey van escorted by a traffic management vehicle with some signage on the roadside.
The second phase will also involve some traffic management and possibly include lane closures & temporary traffic lights. Please see the table & key below for more detail.
- The works are non-invasive and will not cause any noise disruption
- Due to the nature of the works, there will be flashing lights which are used on their works vehicles for the safety of both the workforce and the road users. As the works are mobile, the vehicles will be continuously moving, so any disruption caused by these will be kept to a minimum.
- All access to properties will be maintained throughout the duration of the works.
- At times, there will be lane closures with two-way traffic lights in place. This is required for the safety of both the work force and road users.
- The working hours for the mobile GPR (vehicles travelling at 10 mph/15kph) will take place during day time off-peak hours, Monday to Friday or carried out at night-time in high traffic areas, between 8pm and 6am, Monday to Friday.
- They expect the works to continue until mid-December.(Subject to favourable weather conditions)
You can visit https://highwaysengland.co.uk/ground-penetration-radar-lower-thames-crossing/ for more details on the GPR surveys, including some FAQ’s.
Ground Penetrating Radar surveys Schedule
PHASE 1: 28th October – 15th November 2019
| Gravesham | what to expect |
| Lower Higham Road | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
| Brewers Road | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
| Thurrock | what to expect |
| Brentwood Rd | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
| Heath Road & Baker St | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
| Station Road | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
| Muckingford Road | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
| Hornsby Lane | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
| Mill Lane | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
| Hoford Road | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
| Stifford Clays Lane/Green Lane | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
| Havering | what to expect |
| Ockendon Road | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
| B187 | Mobile GPR – signage and an escort maximum 1 day or night |
PHASE 2: 11th November – 20th December 2019
| Gravesham | what to expect |
| A226/Gravesend Rd | Mobile GPR – traffic lights nights |
| Thong Lane | Push GPR – traffic escorted, nights |
| A2/M2 | Mobile GPR – mobile works on high speed roads |
| Thurrock | what to expect |
| Stanford Rd/A1013 | Mobile GPR – traffic lights |
| Church Road | Mobile GPR – traffic lights |
| Havering | what to expect |
| Junction 29, roundabout | Mobile GPR – ring management maximum 1 or 2 nights |
| M25, north of Junction 29 | Mobile GPR – mobile works on high speed roads |
Map of locations
Key:
| Type of Work | Definition |
| Push GPR | Equipment pushed on foot. Traffic escorted. |
| Mobile GPR – signage and an escort | Survey van followed by traffic management vehicle. Some signage. |
| Mobile GPR – traffic lights | Lane closures with temporary traffic lights or stop go boards. |
| Mobile GPR – ring management | At J29 on M25 we will close the inner ring and then the outer ring of the roundabout. Survey completed by van. |
| Mobile GPR – mobile works on high speed roads | Multiple traffic management vehicles, approx. 5 or 6 at intervals pushing traffic across lanes. These will all be on nights. Limited to A2/M2 and M25. Survey completed by van |