Tunnel location between Essex and Kent
PROJECT
An immersed tube tunnel with rail (T2), road (D3) and utility links between Essex (Canvey Island) and Kent (Hoo
Peninsula), integrated with tidal power and flood defence systems:
Location / Route:
Metrotidal Tunnel links existing radial transport routes north and south of the river to form new orbitals serving the Thames Gateway Region and new north-south arteries for the Greater Southeast. The eastern limbs of Crossrail north and south of the river are linked to form a Crossrail Plus orbital service. Other rail lines are united to provide a new service between Ebbsfleet and Stansted. The A2/M2/A228 across the Hoo Peninsula is connected to the A130, A13 and A127 in Essex providing new circulation for the Thames Gateway and a trunk route between the M20/M2 and M11/A120 via Maidstone and Chelmsford.
Tunnel :
The immersed tube tunnel sections are cast locally and floated into position with a shallow gradient to allow for heavy rail freight. The sections carry
T2 rail connections and a D3 highway along with emergency access, maintenance and utility
wayleaves. The transport corridor extends across the marshes within an embankment to form part of the flood bund and tidal pool impoundment system.
Tidal power and pump storage:
The impounded area of the flood storage system provides a tidal pool for
generating carbon-free electricity, with output enhanced by the
use of wind-power pumped storage.
Flood storage:
Existing and new flood storage areas on both sides of the estuary will be co-ordinated with new gates and sluices to provide a controlled impoundment system for managing the agreed flood datum in accordance with TE2100 forecasts.
Metrotidal system diagram - tunnel (dotted), road (green), rail (black), tidal pool (blue)
Core components:
- immersed tube tunnel under the river
- cut-and-cover tunnel across the marches within a flood bund
- Crossrail Plus T2 rail orbital for the Thames Gateway
- T2 passenger and freight rail connection from Ebbsfleet to Stansted
- D3 road connection between North Kent and South Essex
- utility way leaves for water and power
- impoundment within the tideway for food storage and tidal power
- future ancillary development, dry dock facility and marina
