Medway
The unitary authority of Medway features both the heavily developed area of the Medway towns and the deeply rural Hoo Peninsula.
As part of the Thames Gateway, the Medway towns should be a target for economic regeneration and brownfield housing, CPRE believes. At the same time, though, relatively rare green spaces must be given the strongest possible protection, which has not generally happened in the past.
Specifically, persistent development pressure in the Capstone Valley must be resisted, and it is vital that the future of the Chattenden Barracks site, owned by the Ministry of Defence, does not involve the large-scale destruction of green land. CPRE is closely following – and contributing to – the evolution of plans for the site.
We are also watching the various plans for development on the Hoo Peninsula. We contributed significantly to the 2004 campaign which saw off the threat of a four-runway international airport here, and will do everything we can to combat destructive new schemes, such as a proposed new strategic road and tunnel under the Thames.
Thames Estuary Airport 'Boris Island'
London Mayor, Boris Johnson, is determined that a new London airport should be built in the Thames Estuary between Sheppey and Essex. This would replace Heathrow, and its controversial proposed third runway. Previous proposals for airports in this area (Cliffe and Maplin Sands) have failed, largely due to the sensitivity of the European-designated habitats and the high risk of bird-strike. KCC argue that there is no need for it when there is capacity and development potential at Manston Airport, Thanet.
The Lower Thames Crossing
One of the options for this project – which has the wholehearted support of Kent and Essex county councils – is a tunnel from Canvey to Hoo. If this was rail only, limiting the risk of associated development and creating a new rail-freight route bypassing London to the east, CPRE would acknowledge the scheme’s potential.
It seems far more likely, however, that the crossing would include – or solely consist of – a road, in essence a new M25 through one of north Kent’s few remaining areas of unspoilt countryside. Unsurprisingly, we strongly oppose this. We have persistently argued to KCC and central government that to ameliorate the traffic nightmare of this area, three policies should be implemented:
• The removal of tolls on the Dartford Crossing, or the replacement of the existing booths with a number-plate recognition system which does not require vehicles to stop.
• Road pricing, which CPRE believes is essential to reduce traffic volumes.
• The movement of more freight to rail from lorries, which make up a large proportion of the traffic using the Dartford Crossing.
One very senior KCC member recently described the atmospheric, wildlife-rich open spaces of the Hoo Peninsula as ‘unused space’ crying out to accommodate growth. This approach, directly contrary to the philosophy of CPRE, seriously threatens the future of north Kent’s rare green spaces.
For more information, or to contribute to CPRE’s work in Medway, call Dave Murr on 01634 389519.
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- Last Modified: 28 January 2008 11:46 am