Building bridges?

Building bridges PDF Building bridges RTF

The Mayor is consulting on a possible £425 million six lane bridge at Gallion’s Reach linking Beckton and Thamesmead. Overall, the majority of the Transport Committee are in favour of the Thames Gateway Bridge proposal. It has, however, a number of concerns that it wishes to put to the Mayor and TfL before a formal proposal is submitted to secure powers of construction. These are:

• Despite the extensive public consultation exercise being carried out by TfL the Committee remains concerned that key reports (on environmental impacts and forecasts of traffic flows) are not yet available to inform those being consulted;
• TfL must reconsider its definitions of local and non-local traffic using the Bridge. Differential tolling must be used to deter long-distance traffic with the lowest rates being applied to local residents and businesses;
• There must be a permanent and separate public transport element on the Bridge. A dedicated two lanes on the Bridge for the sole use of public transport must be a requirement of the formal powers for construction.