07 kent thameside map pages 118 135

8/10/2019 07 Kent Thameside Map Pages 118 135

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Thames Estuary Path Kent Thameside Overview

Kent Thameside is the area of Dartford and Gravesham to the north of the A2,which has been an important corridor for trade and movement betweenLondon and Dover for thousands of years. Dartford and Gravesend arehistoric settlements, but communication between them is limited by steepchalk hills and the industrial areas that grew up along the waterfront.Residential developments are now replacing the riverside factories andwharves where they have closed.

Historically, the river was the most important transport corridor andGravesend was an important maritime centre. The riverside path has realpotential as a sustainable transport corridor for walking, cycling and the newFastrack bus route37, linking the existing communities and planned newdevelopments along the waterfront.

Supporting policies and strategies

Kent Thameside Green Grid sees the waterfront as an important strategicroute in the green grid network14. Policy RT4 of the Dartford Local Plansupports riverside access and the provision of new footpaths, bridleways andcycleways38. Kent Thameside Walking and Cycling Strategy recognises theimportance of the waterfront path from Crayford Ness to Gravesend as part ofthe local walking and cycling network15. Green Cluster Studies for the DarentValley and Ebbsfleet Valley & A2 Corridor both highlight the Thameswaterfront as a key part of Greening the Gateway in this area18.

The Strategic Framework for Kent Thamesides Waterfront39states that TheRiver Thames is Kent Thamesides greatest environmental asset. Thedevelopment of the waterfront presents a one off opportunity to bring aboutchange in Kent Thameside. Even though larger development opportunitiesexist inland from the Thames, mixed-use development presents a uniqueopportunity to animate and transform its waterfront and to enhance the imageand identity of the historic towns of Dartford and Gravesend. The riverfrontshould become Kent Thamesides showcase. To achieve this, we need

positive plans to rationalise uses, bring people back to their river with theintroduction of mixed-use developments, and the creation of a Thames Pathas part of the Kent Thameside Green Grid.

Barriers to walking and cycling

There are currently two main routes between Dartford and Gravesend the A2and the A226. Both are heavily trafficked and moderately hilly. There is ashared path beside the A2, but it is not attractive for optional leisure trips. A

new path beside the river would not only be useful of utility trips, but wouldalso attract a large number of leisure trips from local residents and visitors.

The new development at The Bridge has provided some exemplaryinfrastructure for walking, cycling and public transport, where none existedpreviously. A new bridge over the Dartford Tunnel entrance has overcome themajor obstacle of the M25/A282, which splits the local community in Dartford.

This carries the excellent Fastrack bus service and a shared footway forwalking and cycling. The route continues through the development site andcrosses the A206 with a second new bridge. As further sites are developed,Fastrack and the accompanying shared footway will be extended, offering realbenefits for new and existing residents.

Development sites

Two of the top 10 Thames Gateway housing programmes and one of the top10 job-generating programmes are located in Kent Thameside1. There are anumber of major developments planned or underway within walking distanceof the river, including The Bridge, Ingress Park, Swanscombe Peninsula,Northfleet Embankment and North East Gravesend40s. Eastern Quarry, one ofthe largest development sites in the whole of the Thames Gateway area, isonly a mile from the river. Ebbsfleet International station is a 10 minute walkfrom the river and will become a major transport hub when domestic servicescommence in 2009.

Some of these development sites will create new waterfront access wherenone has existed for many years. Although developers will be expected tocreate high quality promenades within their sites, they are unlikely to developexisting adjacent sections of the waterfront path. It is likely that publicinvestment will be required, but special arrangements will be needed asexisting walking and cycling budgets are insufficient.

National Cycle Network

NCR1 currently runs through the area, but uses only 540 metres of thewaterfront. The route passes through Dartford town centre, then alongside theA296 and A2 to Springhead. New shared footways pass EbbsfleetInternational and run alongside Thames Way to join the waterfront atLandsdowne Square. The route threads its way through Gravesendtantalisingly close to the river, before leaving the industrial area beside theThames and Medway Canal to Higham. Sustrans would be delighted to re-align NC1 along the waterfront if the existing paths can be improved.


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Dartford

Creek


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Thames Estuary Path Section 42 Dartford Marshes North Kent

Condition of the waterfront

Between Dartford Creek andLongreach Sewage Works, the flooddefences comprise two parallelgrassed banks, with public accessalong the top of the embankments. It

would be relatively straightforward toimprove the surface for shared use.Current status is public footpath.

At the sewage works a concrete wallprovides the flood defence and arough track runs on the riverside.

This section is easily accessible fromsurrounding residential areas inDartford and the new mixeddevelopment at The Bridge, alsoknown as Dartford Park41. Dartford

Marshes are an important greenspace for people and wildlife and theriverside paths have enormouspotential as a green lung for localpeople, as well as forming part of along distance route for both utilityand recreational trips.

Looking east to QEII Bridge

Barriers to development

Dartford Creek forms the boundarybetween Greater London and Kent. Itis also a major barrier to the ThamesEstuary Path as a significant inlanddiversion is needed to cross the

creek. A new bridge at this locationwould open up many miles of theriverside path and connect thecommunities at Erith, Dartford andGreenhithe.

The Dartford Creek Barrier isoperated by the Environment Agencyand is a key structure in the flooddefences for Dartford and Crayford. Anew bridge could be a free-standingstructure adjacent to or fixed onto theflood barrier.

LB Bexley has commissionedfeasibility work and discussions areunderway with the EnvironmentAgency. Budget costs are estimatedat 1.21.7 million, depending onthe type of structure.

Dartford Creek Barrier

Links and Access

L1 The flood defences besideDartford Creek provide an attractivetraffic-free route into Dartford TownCentre and the railway station.

L2 Joyce Green Lane providesvehicle access to the flood barrierand the shooting range. A link to TheBridge development site could becreated across land owned byDartford Borough Council.

L3 The former Joyce Green Tramwaywill link the proposed District Centreof The Bridge development directlywith the waterfront. Although it is notcurrently a public right of way, werecommend that this is developed as

the primary route between DartfordTown Centre, The Bridge and thewaterfront. The old cobbles of thetramway have been restored inplaces, although much is coveredwith a layer of tarmac.

L4 Marsh Street is an historicriverside access track, but it is nowsandwiched between the powerstation and sewage works. Stepsover the sea wall restrict access tothe waterfront. It does have publicbridleway status, but it is not anattractive route.

Key Recommendations

1. Provision of a new bridge at theDartford Creek Barrier.

2. Surfacing of 2560 metres ofriverside path along flood defence

embankments for shared use.

Artist impression of improvements

Littlebrook Power Station


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L2

L4

The Bridge

L1

New bridge acrossDartford Creek

L3


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Thames Estuary Path Section 43 Littlebrook and Crossways North Kent


This section passes the industrialsites of Littlebrook Power Station andCrossways Business Park. Theriverside path passes under the majorlandmark of the QEII Bridge. The

flood defences vary from grassedbanks to wide concrete tracks, withpublic access throughout. In someplaces, no improvements are neededand elsewhere it would be easy toimprove the surface for shared use.Current status is public footpath.

This section is easily accessible fromsurrounding residential areas inDartford and the new mixeddevelopment at The Bridge. If a linkcan be created through the

Littlebrook site, this would increasethe value of the path for local people.

Littlebrook Power Station

Access control above Dartford Tunnel


B1 The only significant barriers arethe substantial access controls andreduced path width above theDartford Tunnel and under the QEIIBridge. The path is as little as 1.8m

wide in places. There is scope tomove the existing palisade fencingback over a short distance toaccommodate a wider path.

Modification to the access controlswill need to be discussed with therelevant authorities to allow easieraccess for disabled people andbicycles.

There is a minor issue at the jettyadjacent to the power station, wherethere are level changes that shouldbe modified.

Links and Access

L1 The first stage of redevelopmentof Littlebrook Business Park includesnew shared paths, linking with theemerging network through TheBridge development. As the site is

further developed, it is hoped that anew link to the waterfront can becreated.

L2 There is a tarmac access roadvery close to the waterfront, but thereis no current public access. If accesscan be negotiated, a link to the newFastrack bridge over the DartfordTunnel portal will be useful.

L3 There is an existing track linkingCrossways with the waterfront. Minor

surfacing works would be needed tobring this up to a reasonablestandard. The access barrier at thesouth end could be improved.

Crossways link

Key Recommendations

1. Surfacing of 1390 metres ofriverside path along flood defencesfor shared use.

2. Modification to access controls

under the QEII Bridge (B1).

3. Moving fence line back by at least1 metre over 120 metres aboveDartford Tunnel.

Jetty adjacent to power station


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CrosswaysBusiness Park

LittlebrookBusiness Park L1

L2

L3

B1Cycle crossing

service over bridge


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Thames Estuary Path Section 44 Greenhithe North Kent


Between the QEII Bridge andJohnsons Wharf, the flood defencesagain comprise two parallel grassedbanks around 4 metres wide, with apublic footpath along the top of the

embankments. It would be relativelystraightforward to improve thesurface for shared use.

The industrial site at Johnsons Wharfis occupied by Lafarge Aggregatesand there is no public access. Theadjacent site is being developed forhousing and new public access to thewaterfront will be provided (DBCplanning reference 05/00573/FUL).

Most of the Greenhithe waterfront is

physically accessible, but it is inprivate ownership and there is nocontinuous access. Much of thehousing here is relatively recent, butthe local authorities have failed toensure the necessary access.

Ingress Park is an exemplarydevelopment, with an excellentpromenade on two levels, the upperlevel comprising a good qualitytarmac path 3 metres wide.

This section is easily accessible fromsurrounding residential areas in Stoneand Greenhithe and from thecommercial area at CrosswaysBusiness Park. There is goodpotential for local utility trips as wellas leisure and longer distancerecreational trips.


The Lafarge works are a majorbarrier, but there is a satisfactorydiversion on an existing footpathbetween the superstore and this site.Greenhithe High Street is a

reasonable alternative to thewaterfront, particularly as it containsa number of fine historic buildings.

Waterfront access should beprovided wherever possible. A casein point is the Neptune Sl ipway site,which is currently subject to aplanning application for residentialdevelopment (DBC planningreference 08/01136/FUL). Thedevelopers propose a new publicriverside walk, but only 1.5 metres

wide with steps. This is whollyinadequate if the ambition is to createa high quality riverside path.

Freightliner jetty access

B1 At the Freightliner terminal, thepath runs underneath the jetty accessroad, but headroom is restricted at1.95 metres. Excavation is needed to

improve access and the removal ofan unnecessary barrier on the eastside.

B2 The access to Ingress Park is verydifficult for bicycles and mobilityvehicles and should be modified.

Links and Access

L1 An industrial road links CrosswaysBoulevard (and Stone Crossingstation) with the riverside, but accessis by steps across the flooddefences. Substantial earthworkswould be needed to provide easyaccess.

L2 Greenhithe station is easilyaccessible from the river on existing

shared paths.

L3 There are a number of accesspoints to the waterfront through theIngress Park development. EverardsLink, a brand new Fastrack bus routethrough to the station, is underconstruction.

View east to Greenhithe

Key Recommendations

1. Surfacing of 960 metres ofriverside path along flood defenceembankments for shared use.

2. Increase headroom and remove

barrier at Freightliner jetty access(B1).

3. Improvements to footpath besideSuperstore as an interim route.

4. Detailed feasibility work into theoptions for public access to thewaterfront at Greenhithe.

5. Modifications to the access barrierat Ingress Park (B2).

Waterfront west of Greenhithe


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Ingress Parkunder construction

GreenhitheStation

B1

B2

L2

L3

L1

Stone CrossingStation


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Thames Estuary Path Section 45 Swanscombe Peninsula North Kent


The west side of the peninsula isaccessible on foot, although there areno formal surfaced paths. A numberof access tracks cross the area,including a wide tarmac road, which

is currently used to service theIngress Park site. The east side of thepeninsula is not currently accessible.

Swanscombe Peninsula West isidentified by SEEDA as a potentialdevelopment site40, but the timescaleis uncertain.

The grassed bank flood defences donot follow the riverside, but run inlandabout 650 metres from Broadness.Public footpaths follow the landward

side of the flood defences and offer asatisfactory alternative route.

The grassed bank continues alongthe west side of Manor Way, where ithas public footpath status. Thealternative route then joins ManorWay and Lower Road.

Looking east to Manor Way


The main barrier is the large industrialsite, which runs for some 3000metres from Broadness toRosherville. Swanscombe Peninsulacurrently provides land for some

heavy industrial uses such asBritannia Refined Metals and portrelated uses such as SeaCon, as wellas several aggregate wharves. Theseindustrial uses are likely to remain forthe foreseeable future, so an inlandalternative route will be required.

B1 There is a metal barrier on apublic footpath which will need to bemodified to allow access for all. Thereis another barrier on the ramp thatlinks Manor Way with the footpath.

B2 The public footpath climbs to thetop of the flood defence embankmentwith a flight of steps. This path is alittle narrow for shared use, butcyclists can use the road. Manor Wayis a private road, so accessnegotiations will be needed.

Broadness from Ingress Park

Links and Access

L1 Lovers Lane, a public footpath ona wide metalled track, links LondonRoad with Ingress Park. The footpathcontinues to the waterfront in poorcondition. There is a restrictive

kissing gate at London Road.

L2 The access ramp into Ingress Parkis too narrow for shared use amissed opportunity given theconsiderable investment to createthis ramp.

L3 This public footpath is a littlenarrow for shared use at around 2metres between fences.

L4 The service road from Manor Way

to Ingress Park provides a good routeto the peninsula, but there is a metalbarrier at Manor Way.

L5 This public footpath comprises aconcrete track for the first part, thendeteriorates to an overgrown path.

L6 Manor Way was a continuous rightof way prior to the construction ofCTRL. There is a track across thenew Thames tunnel entrance, but thisis not currently accessible. If this can

be opened up, it would provide a veryuseful direct link from localcommunities and for access toEbbsfleet International station.

Broadness, looking towards Grays

Key Recommendations

1. Retention of Ingress Park serviceroads for walking and cycling.

2. Development of an inland route on

existing footpaths and surfacing ofaround 1350 metres.

3. Traffic calming on Manor Way andLower Road.

Barrier on public footpath


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L1

L2

L6

B2

B1

L5

L3

L4


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Thames Estuary Path Section 46 Northfleet North Kent


The waterfront is currently occupiedby large industrial sites, includingLafarge cement and Kimberly Clark.Northfleet Embankment has beenidentified by SEEDA as a major

development site

40

and works are dueto start in 2009, including a newriverside promenade.

The Shore and Clifton Marine Paraderun very close to the riverside and arecurrently quiet roads, although thismay change with development.

A public footpath NU42 runs throughthe cement works, but has beenclosed for safety reasons since 2005.An alternative route is available using

Granby Road (which is closed tomotor vehicles) and High Street.

A further alternative route for cyclistsis to follow NCR1 alongside ThamesWay, which avoids the hills inNorthfleet.

Northfleet from Tilbury Ferry


The main barrier is the large industrialsite, which means there is no publicaccess to the waterfront up toRosherville.

The cement works closed in 2008,but demolition work will continue until2010. Development plans are at anadvanced stage and a new riversidepromenade is proposed for much ofthe waterfront. Some of the industrialuses might still prevent public accessin the long term.

SEEDA is leading the development ofNorthfleet Embankment East andhave acquired some of the industrialland. A planning application is

expected in late 2008.

The A226 Galley Hill Road is verybusy with a high proportion of HGVsand we recommend that the footwayon the west side is widened forshared use.

Rosherville Waterfront

Links and Access

There are a number of historic links tothe riverside, some of which probablypre-date the current industrial uses.Once the site is developed, werecommend that these links are

retained and enhanced.

L1 College Road existing accessroad to industrial area.

L2 Hive Lane public footpath,mostly adequate width, but narrow inat each end.

L3 Cement works access road, withtunnels under the railway and HighStreet. This road may continue to beused by commercial vehicles, but it

would be a very useful link toEbbsfleet station.

L4 Existing tarmac footpath intocement works site from Lawn Road.At the time of our visit, the gate intothe industrial site was open.

L5 Granby Road road currentlyclosed to motor vehicles.

L6 Narrow footpath, currently poorlymaintained.

Key Recommendations

1. Creation of riverside promenade aspart of site development.

2. Re-opening of public footpathNU42 at the earliest opportunity.

3. Widening of 230 metres of footwaybeside A226 Galley Hill Road forshared use.

Footway, Galley Hill Road


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L1

L2

L4

L3

L6

Ebbsfleet

International station

NCR1

L5Northfleet

station


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Thames Estuary Path Section 47 Gravesend North Kent


The waterfront is almost continuouslydeveloped, with industrial andresidential sites and a mix of publicand private access.

Two adjacent housing sites showgood and bad examples of waterfrontdevelopment. To the west of the oldrailway pier at Baltic Wharf, there is awide public promenade with accessfrom the Retail Park. To the east upto the ferry terminal, there is limitedpublic access with numerous stepsand a private space that is little used.

From the ferry terminal to Royal PierRoad, there is public access butwidth is restricted at Town Pier. The

Royal Pier site is not accessible, butthere are quiet streets a shortdistance away.

Gordon Promenade is the biggestriverside open space in the town, witha wide riverside path and publicamenities.

Baltic Wharf good use of waterfront

From the Canal Basin to Mark Lane,the waterfront is occupied by anumber of small industrial premises.This area is planned for developmentas the North East Gravesend andCanal Basin regeneration area. Thecanal could provide a high quality

inland alternative route if thewaterfront continues to be occupiedby industry.


The main barriers are the industrialsites, which limit public access to thewaterfront. Some recentdevelopments have failed to providea good quality riverside path.

Around the Town Pier, the width of

the riverside path is restricted byadjacent buildings. The PLA officesand Custom House at Royal Pier arelikely to remain inaccessible. The PLAis keen to retain the slipways atWharf Road.

Poor use of waterfont

Links and Access

There are numerous access points tothe waterfront from adjoining streetsand no new links are required. Assites are developed, it will beimportant to ensure that public

access is maximised.

L1 Interim alternative routes areavailable on adjacent streets andfootpaths, but these are notsatisfactory as long term solutions.NCR1 runs east-west through thetown and uses the currentlyaccessible waterfront and nearbystreets.

L2 Ferry to Tilbury, not currentlyrunning on Sundays.

L3 Pedestrianised High Street for thetown centre and railway station.

L4 The public footpath shared by theSaxon Shore Way and NCR1 is verynarrow in places, barely 1 metre for ashort distance.

Wharf Road

Key Recommendations

1. Creation of a riverside promenadeas part of site development asopportunities arise at North EastGravesend.

2. Widening of public footpath withdevelopment of the Feabrex site.

3. Feasibility work to allow greaterpublic access to the waterfront fromthe old railway pier to Town Pier. Thiswill need to take account of theproposal to move the ferry terminal toTown Pier.

Canal Basin


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L3 L4

Gravesend

Station

L2

L1


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Thames Estuary Path Section 48 Eastcourt Marshes North Kent


East of Mark Lane, the sea wallincludes a narrow concrete path onthe landward side, as little as 2metres in places. The narrowestsection of concrete path can beavoided by using the road access tothe Ship & Lobster PH. Outside TheShip & Lobster PH there are steps tonegotiate.

Where the flood defences change tograssed banks, riverside access isvery good and there is a continuousfootpath to Cliffe Pools and beyond.A set of concrete steps provideaccess over the sea wall.

There is a section of around 800

metres of low-lying ground where theflood defences move inland, insidethe Metropolitan Police Firing Range.Although there are some older flooddefences in place they are not ingood condition and this section issubject to inundation.

Looking east


This section is fully open to publicaccess as a footpath, albeit withsteps in places.

B1 The most significant barrier is themarshy area to the west ofShornmead Fort. This might need aboardwalk construction in places tokeep the path dry and suitable forshared use.

B2 Steps at the Ship & Lobster.

B3 Concrete steps over flooddefences.

Looking west from Shornmead Fort

Links and Access

There are no access points along thewaterfront between Mark Lane andShornmead Fort due to the presenceof the Metropolitan Police SpecialistTraining Facility.

On the south side of this facility liesthe Thames and Medway Canal. Atrack runs alongside the disusedcanal and it is used by NCR1between Gravesend and Highamstation. Improvements to the pathsurface are planned as part of themajor investment in the canal.

This provides a very satisfactoryalternative to enable cyclists to avoidthe marshy area along the estuary

path. If the waterfront is developed aswell, this will make a fantastic circularroute over level ground for theresidents of Gravesend.

The Ship & Lobster

Key Recommendations

1. Widening of existing riverside pathbeside sea wall.

2. Modification of steps to allowdisabled access at B2 and B3.


4. Construction of boardwalk for 800metres over marshy ground.

Sea wall from Ship & Lobster


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B1

B2 B3

Thames and MedwayCanal (NCR1)


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Thames Estuary Path Section 49 Shorne Marshes North Kent


This section of the waterfrontcomprises a high grassedembankment. On the landward sidethere is a wide gravel track inreasonable condition.

Looking east from Shornmead Fort


There no physical barriers on thissection. The choice is whether toinvest in a new path on top of theflood defences or to improve theexisting track at the foot of theembankment.

B1 There is one location where ametal fence and stile restricts access

to people with limited mobility. If thefence is required for stock control,there are several designs of easy-access gate which could be usedinstead.

Stile on flood embankment

Links and Access

L1 A public bridleway runs fromShornmead Crossing to ShornmeadFort, which is a concrete accessroad. When the Police firing range isin operation, officers are stationed at

the railway level crossing so thatfiring can cease when someonewants to use the bridleway. This isthe first access east of Gravesendand a good link to Shorne village andShorne Wood Country Park.

However, there is a proposal to movethe bridleway further to the east, so itdoes not interfere with the operationof the firing range.

L2 NCR1 continues on the path

adjacent to the disused canal to asmall industrial estate, where it joinswith Canal Road. From this point aprivate track leads to HighamCommon and a public footpathleading back to the waterfront.

The footpath and track are inreasonable condition, so werecommend this as a good route fromthe canal to the waterfront. BeckleyHill is identified as a potential newrecreational hub in the Thames andMedway Canal Green ClusterStudy18.

L3 A link to Church Street could bedeveloped, but this currently uses alevel crossing of the railway branchline with steps. This is an existingpublic footpath.

L4 There is another public footpathacross open ground from ChurchStreet, which is the most direct routeto Higham station. This is probablynot suitable for development for

shared use, but it forms part of theNaughty nuns and nightingalespromoted walk.

Footpath across Higham Common

Key Recommendations


2. Improvements to the tracksthrough Beckley Hill and HighamCommon for 2000 metres as a link toNCR1 and the Thames & MedwayCanal.

3. Installation of easy-access gate tothe existing fence line at B1.

Track at foot of flood defences


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L1 L2

L4L2

L3

B1

07 kent thameside map pages 118 135

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