Agenda item

Following a proposal by the Chairman, Members agreed to consider Items 9, 10 and 11 prior to Items 6, 7 and 8.

5.       A2 Pepperhill to Cobham Widening Scheme

          A2/A282 Improvement Scheme and M25 J1b to 3 Widening

(Item 9 – Report by Director, Kent Highway Services)

(1)       Further to Minute 19 of 11 July 2006, the report gave an update on the progress of the works, the works programme and ongoing consultations between SKANSKA (the consortium delivering the project for the Highways Agency), and County and Gravesham Borough Council officers.  Improvements to the A2/A282 junction were also underway and the report outlined the programme and discussions between the contractor Costains and County officers.

(2)       Both the schemes started in September with off-line works, the A2 Pepperhill to Cobham scheme’s being at Tollgate and Pepperhill.  Downs Road was closed to the public and would remain closed for the duration of the works. The Tollgate Hotel, which was significantly affected by the widening works, was acquired by the Highways Agency and was being used as a site office and public information centre.

(3)       The start of works ceremony for both schemes was on 10 November held at the former Tollgate Hotel, being carried out by Dr Stephen Ladyman MP, Minister of State for Transport, who started the bored piling machine for the foundations of the new Tollgate bridge.  The day was also the first of two of a public exhibition of both schemes at the former Tollgate Hotel.

(4)       Regular liaison meetings had been set up for both schemes between the contractors and KHS, including fortnightly co-ordination meetings for the A2 Pepperhill to Cobham scheme, and for the A2/A282 scheme overview group meetings every 2 months; the group consisting of representatives from KCC, DBC, GBC and HA.  The M25 Junction 1B to 3 improvement scheme was currently undergoing public consultation following an exhibition held over 7,8, & 9 December.

A2 Pepperhill to Cobham Widening

(5)       Details of imminent works, including lane closures, were given on the HA’s web site www.highways.gov.uk/A2beancobhamphase2  The SKANSKA public relations officer was Gordon Hounslow who could be contacted on 07831 196325. The works programme was currently as follows:-

(a)       15 January commence construction of additional vehicle crossovers, through central reservation, on A2.  This would require traffic management measures with narrow lanes operating between Marling Cross and Thong lane for 8 months. 

(b)       In May commence work around Pepperhill Junction, requiring traffic management measures lasting approximately 12 weeks.

(c)        Mid May closure of Marling Cross over bridge, followed by closure of Hever Court Road.  Both closures being for up to 14 months, required to enable statutory undertakers’ diversions and construction of the new bridge over A2, new roundabouts and link roads.

(d)       April 2008 commencement of 7 further phases of traffic management on the Pepperhill section to enable tying in of new road.

(e)       Dec 2008 traffic would be moved over to new road and start of landscaping of old road.

(f)         Early Spring 2009 Completion of new road.

(g)       Late 2009 complete landscaping of old road.

(6)       Main matters under discussion with SKANSKA:-

(a)       length of time of Marling Cross bridge closure;

(b)       keeping Hever Court Road open;

(c)        diversion routes for the above;

(d)       roadworks co-ordination;

(e)       detail design of the new junctions and connecting roads at Tollgate and Marling Cross which would be transferred to the County;

(f)         old A2 - landscaping, footpaths/cyclepaths, equestrian routes and their bridges over new A2, and links to existing.

(g)       permanent signing

A2/A282 Improvement

(7)       The proposed completion date of the scheme was Spring 2008.  Details of the works programme were unavailable at the time of writing of the report; they would be added following the public meeting on 14 December at their visitor and resource centre adjacent to Waller Park, Green Street Green Road, Darenth.  However, details of imminent works, including lane closures, were given on the HA’s web site www.highways.gov.uk/A2A282   The Costain Community Relations officer was Martin Griffiths and the 24 hour public helpline was 0845 603 6374.

(8)       Discussions with the Highways Agency over the deferment of the A2 west to north free flow slip and the safety over the ‘interim’ scheme continued into October but KHS were unable to convince the HA to overturn their decision.  KHS were continuing to work with Costains to minimise traffic congestion on Watling Street due to traffic avoiding the road works.

M25 Junction 1B to 3 Widening

(9)       The scheme was one of several being progressed by the Highways Agency to widen all the 3 lane sections of the M25 to 4 lanes. The scheme between Junctions 1B (Princes Rd, Dartford) and 3 (M20 Swanley) would be carried out within the existing highway boundaries, with no widening of structures and utilising the hard shoulder at pinch points.  It had a budget of £65.94 million.

(10)     The extra benefits of the scheme would be low noise surfacing, an environmental barrier at the Hawley Road bridge to further reduce the noise and reduce the visual impact of the road and traffic, and new lighting to improve the safety of the road.  The lighting would be of the latest technology with close cut off beams of light to minimise light pollution.

(11)     The consultation period for the scheme ended on 14 February.  Comments would be considered by the Highway Agency and taken into account as they deemed appropriate.  The scheme and comments would then be considered by the Secretary of State.  As the scheme was widening of the existing carriageways within existing highway limits no actual planning permission was required.  Hence, subject to the Secretary of State’s approval the scheme was proposed to start in August 2007 with completion in April 2009; a contract period of 20.5 months.  This was a short construction period and the contractor Costains proposed to utilise appropriate overnight working to keep the contract period to a minimum.

(12)     During construction the existing number of lanes would be kept open at peak times, which meant for most of the day, although they would be narrow lanes.  There would be a 50 mph speed limit with an ‘average speed specs speed camera system’ as on the A2 scheme.  There were no road closures proposed although overhead gantries would be manoeuvred into place overnight using rolling road blocks.

(13)     The Board noted the report.