Progress report

We are pleased to confirm that the construction and technology upgrade work taking place on the M25 junction 30 and A13 is complete.

The temporary 50 mph speed limit that was in operation on the M25 between Dartford Crossing and the Stifford Road overbridge was removed from both carriageways overnight on Tuesday 21 March. Therefore the 70mph speed limit was restored from 5am on Wednesday 22 March 2017.

The scheme has:

• widened the A13 in both directions between M25 junction 30 and the A126
• created a segregated left turn lane from the A13 eastbound to M25 northbound
• created a segregated left turn lane from the M25 southbound to the A13 eastbound
• upgraded the traffic lights around the gyratory at M25 junction 30
• improved the drainage system
• renewed the street lighting
• upgraded the safety barriers
• renewed the carriageway surfacing

We hope you benefit from the road improvements and increased capacity created by this scheme.

Timeline

Date	Event
August 2014 to December 2014	Advance scheme work
December 2014	Award of design and build contract
Late February 2015	Start of works on A13
November 2015	Start of works on M25
Autumn 2016	Completion of works

Why we need this scheme

This section of the M25 experiences congestion throughout most of the day with performance susceptible to frequent incidents on the adjacent highway network. It directly services the Port of Tilbury and the Lakeside regional shopping centre and is regarded as the last major transport constraint to the development of the Thames Gateway area. As development gets under way traffic growth will increase and congestion worsen. Traffic is forecast to grow by 25% by 2032. We have developed the scheme within the existing highways boundary. Our proposals are:

• online widening in both directions between junction 30 and the A126
• improvements to the junction 30 slip roads
• introduction of dedicated left turn lanes from the A13 to the M25 northbound and M25 southbound to the A13 eastbound

Aims

Our main objective of the scheme is to improve capacity of the highway network centred on M25 junction 30 and in particular the A13 through junction 30 and to the junction with the A126, an area recognised as the biggest remaining constraint to the development of the Lower Thames Gateway.

Air Quality

We have carried out air quality assessments and there are no perceptible increases of NO2 or PM10 concentrations at receptors as a result of the scheme. However, we predict the scheme will lead to small decreases at 7 receptors which currently exceed the NO2 AQ0. Air quality impact has been assessed as low.

Noise

Existing noise mitigation will be retained or replaced as necessary. Short term and long term noise impacts as a result of the scheme in operation are predicted to be negligible, with no perceptible noise changes being predicted. During construction, there is potential for noise impacts to properties nearest the works. All construction will be carried out under a Section 61 noise agreement. This ensures control measures are in place, as established between the contractor and the local authority's Environmental Health Officers.

Landscape

The scheme will include replacement planting to soften and integrate the improved road into its surroundings as far as possible.

Cultural Heritage

Effects on cultural heritage were assessd as neutral.

Ecology

A range of birds, mammals, reptiles and plant species are present within the scheme boundary. We will retain existing habitats as far as possible and provide new replacement habitat as required.

Water

Reduction of flows and pollution control devices for the drainage network will be included in the scheme to ensure there is no adverse impact.

Land use

No disruption of current land use is envisaged.

Roadworks and Events for England

The latest incident information for England's motorway and trunk routes provided by Highways England