News from Darren Johnson AM: Air pollution concerns as Mayor pledges new Thames road tunnel

Abstract: Darren Johnson has expressed concerns that a proposed new Thames river crossing from Silvertown to Greenwich Peninsular could increase traffic in East London

 The Mayor of London has today promised a new road tunnel, connecting the Greenwich Peninsula to Silvertown, within a decade. It would have a capacity of 2,400 vehicles an hour, in both directions, and (it is claimed) would ease congestion of the existing Blackwall and Rotherhithe tunnels. Few details have yet been provided on the costs, or whether the new tunnel, or existing crossings, would have to be tolled in order to pay for it.

 Darren Johnson AM said:

 “The London Mayor can’t claim that air pollution or climate change are a priority whilst proposing to build a traffic-generating road like this proposed Silvertown Tunnel. The last Mayor lost the public inquiry on the grounds that a bridge at Gallions Reach would increase traffic in east London and add to pollution. This tunnel is a straight forward attempt to double capacity around the Blackwall Tunnel and will generate extra traffic all over East London. I don’t understand how Boris Johnson can support this bridge when air pollution in London is already failing both national and European standards.”

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