Relocation of Manor Way HGV Transport Hub
Aim.
1. The aim of this request is to make best use of the position of the Town Council as the lower level of local government to facilitate support from both public and private organisations for the relocation of the 24 hr Manor Park HGV transport hub to a more suitable site closer to the A2 and/or M25.
Introduction.
2. The Manor Park HGV transport hub is used by several haulage companies as a 24 hour overnight/rest staging post for their drivers for onward movement either to Europe or the UK, a sort of temporary motorway service station. The London Road from the MacDonalds Roundabout through to the Ebbsfleet football stadium sits on a chalk cliff spine which has been acknowledged by Ebbsfleet Implementation Framework as having major issues about its future resilience to heavy traffic.
3. The current collapse of Galley Hill has caused a major traffic headache and is unlikely to reopen for a number of months if not years. Despite KCC redirecting HGV away from built up areas some HGVs have entered residential roads especially Swanscombe and caused traffic holdups and in some cases damage to residents legitimately parked cars. London Road has also been subject to 70 leaks over the last 5 years from Thames Water underground pipes. Most leaks were left for several days before being repaired resulting in many thousands of litres of water seeping above and below the road surface causing disruption through temporary traffic lights whilst repairs have been carried out. It would appear that the Galley Hill collapse may have been caused by a water leak, but this has yet to established. It is also believed that these pipes had been laid by the Victorians using cast iron pipes which were not designed to withstand the stresses and strains of modern-day traffic.
4. Manor Park is owned by Swanscombe LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) which is in a 50/50 with Aggregate Industries and Anglo American International Holdings and has been up for sale through Savills with a deadline of 26 Jul 24 though the outcome is still unknown. The Manor Park site is not part of the adjacent SSSI and therefore could be bought by a housing developer.
Main Issues/facts for consideration.
5. There are several factors that may need to be considered when dealing with this issue:
a. The proposal is aimed at relocating 40 ton plus HGV haulage vehicles only.
b. There does not seem to be any suitable motorway service station close by to take on a similar overnight rest area for drivers.
c. Parts of the London Road are close to vertical chalk cliffs and susceptible to rock falls with its resilience in doubt.
d. Many leaks have occurred over the last few years with unknown consequences for the integrity of the road especially when 2 sink holes appeared at the Swanscombe junction.
e. The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) if and when built, may reduce/remove the requirement for a transport hub at Manor Park.
f. The site is not part of the nearby SSSI and therefore could be sold to a residential developer and the haulage companies would have to move anyway.
g. Removing the constant HGV traffic will reduce the potential for leaks and the consequential disruption to long suffering residents.
h. There are several sites near both the A2 and/or M25 that could be used as a transport hub one of which is offered for sale and is situated on Crossways Boulevard, less than½ mile from the M25.
i. Help haulage companies to reduce traffic conditions within a residential environment
j. Cross party cooperation is required.
k. The Dartford MP will support when and where he can but will mainly use his position to open doors.
l. This proposal could take several years to affect a move or quite quickly depending on who buys the site.
The Potential Sites
6. We have identified 7 potential sites that could be used for Lorry Parks. Size and other constraints may mean that more than one will be needed. In its recent successful application for a Lorry Park for 200 HGV’s on the A20 just by the M26 Junction at the bottom of Wrotham Hill in Borough Green (see Appendix A) MOTO stated that they thought there was a need for 1000 HGV parking spaces in Kent.
These are:-
1) Plot A6A, Anchor Boulevard, Crossways Business Park
2) Thames Europort, Clipper Boulevard, Crossways Business Park
3) Land to the West of Bean Road, Off A296
4) Land enclosed by the slip road at Ebbsfleet Junction A2
5) Car Park D, Ebbsfleet International Station
6) Land off New Barn Road bordering HS1
7) The Former Tollgate Hotel, Gravesend Central Junction A2
There are other possible sites along the A2 Corridor but they are all either original or restored Green Field and perhaps best not disturbed.
These potential sites are of different sizes and it may be that more than one will be required to meet the demand. This paper has worked on the space need to park one lorry as 18.5m x 4.55m (a lorry is 16.5m x 2.55m). ie. 84m2. It is assumed that approx 33% of the site would be lorry parking spaces and the rest is access to those spaces and facilities. Only 25% could be used if there are refueling facilities.
Sites could be acquired by National Highway and leased out or designated as suitable for private development.
Prepared by Councillor Peter Harris (main text 1-5) and Councillor Graham Taylor (potential site information 6). February/March 2025
