To date, Transport for London (TfL) has refused to provide modelling on the health, congestion and climate consequences of there being no road user charging at the Blackwall and Silvertown Road Tunnels, after the Silvertown Road Tunnel is built.
The London Assembly has today agreed a motion calling on the Mayor to instruct TfL to carry out this modelling and share the results with Assembly Members and residents of the areas affected.
Sian Berry AM, who proposed the motion said:
“This motion is not about whether Silvertown tunnel should go ahead, this is about the Assembly ensuring all projects that affect Londoners have proper assessment and transparency.
For years, campaigners and local councillors at both ends of the potential tunnel have repeatedly called for information about what would happen if in the future a London Mayor chooses to remove or reduce the tolls that are intended to keep traffic induced by the plans down.
I look forward to seeing the Mayor respond positively to the Assembly’s request for this vital information.”
Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, who seconded the motion said:
“The public has a right to know how Silvertown Tunnel could operate in the decades ahead and that must mean that modelling information is provided on the health, congestion and climate consequences of there being no charges to use the tunnel.
“There is no absolute certainty that charging at the two tunnels will exist on a permanent basis so a full examination of the impact from no charges must be undertaken and published.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes that with the completion of Crossrail, the Silvertown Road Tunnel is now the single highest value transport project under construction in London.
This Assembly notes that Transport for London (TfL) has refused to provide modelling on the health, congestion and climate consequences of there being no road user charging at the Blackwall and Silvertown Road Tunnels after the Silvertown Road Tunnel is built.
This Assembly calls on the Mayor to instruct TfL to carry out this modelling and share the results with Assembly Members and residents of the areas affected.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed by 12 votes for and 10 votes against.
- Sian Berry AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 07887 832 918. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.