Silvertown Tunnel would 'create a motorway in Greenwich'

The No to Silvertown Tunnel campaign packed out Greenwich's Forum last night (October 17) as they presented their data on pollution in the borough, its devastating effects, and how it could be worsened by a proposed new tunnel on the peninsula.

A series of guest speakers also made the case against Silvertown, with one key message standing out - a new road would create more traffic, not less.

Simon Birkett from Clean Air London told the meeting that, coupled with the neighbouring Blackwall Tunnel, the plan would create eight lanes of traffic, effectively "a motorway in Greenwich".

He warned: "You build these things and they fill up and you end up with more traffic than you had to start with."

Independent transport consultant John Elliott said that, without tolls, traffic would double in the area, while campaigner Sian Berry described the project as "one of the worst ideas I've ever seen".

At least five people amongst the crowd are currently standing to be Labour's next candidate for the safe Greenwich and Woolwich parliamentary seat, three of whom questioned the proposals and methods of consultation.

Representatives from all parties also joined the meeting but there was no appearance from the council cabinet, which has backed the Transport for London plans as a way of cutting congestion and boosting the local economy. The council says it is up to the Mayor of London to undertake environmental and traffic assessments of the plans.

There were also questions from two veteran campaigners who took part in a battle to save Oxleas Wood from the East London River Crossing development in the 1980s and early 1990s.

John Stewart told the campaigners: "The alternatives need to come from ourselves.

"Gallions Reach, the East London River Crossing and Silvertown Tunnel before have been fought and won by local people."

For more on the campaign, visit silvertowntunnel.co.uk