21.02.12: Public meetings in East London to question TFL claims for Boris's proposed new river crossings for vehicles

Media release - for immediate release Tuesday 21 February 2012

PUBLIC MEETINGS IN EAST LONDON TO QUESTION TFL CLAIMS FOR BORIS'S PROPOSED NEW RIVER CROSSINGS FOR VEHICLES

contact: Jenny Bates, 07884 003107, [email protected]

Two public meetings have been organised for local people to get more information about 2 new river crossings for vehicles in East London proposed by Boris Johnson, which could also mean the Woolwich Ferry closing, before this 'initial' consultation ends on 5th March. The meetings will hear from a top transport consultant and will question the claims made by Transport for London for the schemes.

The meeting on the south side of the river will be on Tuesday 28 February, 6.30-8-30, at the Forum@Greenwich, Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9EQ . There will be another meeting on the north side of the river will be on Wednesday 29 February 6.30-8.30 at the Britannia Village Hall, 65 Evelyn Road, London E16 1TU.

People currently living near the Blackwall tunnels may think Transport for London's plan for a further road tunnel there 'would relieve congestion' as claimed, when in reality a new Silvertown link at Blackwall and a new Gallions Reach vehicle ferry would be expected to just bring more traffic and problems to the area, with relief at Blackwall likely to be just short-term.

Other questions considered will include the impact of losing the Woolwich Ferry, whether a new ferry at Gallions Reach would inevitably lead to a road bridge there - or if there are better ways to help the area.

The proposals are for a new Silvertown Link road tunnel which is a 3rd road crossing at Blackwall, and a vehicle ferry, which could be replaced by a fixed link later, at Gallions Reach - this is the location of the Thames Gateway road bridge which the Mayor scrapped in 2008 after the scheme was rejected by the Inspector at a Planning Inquiry. This followed a campaign by objectors which included thousands of local people and representatives from all 3 major parties objecting [see below]. The new ferry could also mean the loss of the Woolwich Ferry.

Friends of the Earth London Campaigner, Jenny Bates, who has organised the meetings said:

"Transport for London is making unsubstantiated claims about the benefits of a new Thames vehicle tunnel and ferry-crossing - but the reality is these schemes will almost certainly lead to more traffic, more pollution and more congestion.

"If the Mayor wants to tackle London's transport problems he must make it easier for people to leave their cars at home and invest in cleaner forms of transport such as better public transport and safer cycling and walking facilities."

Transport for London's announcement re the river crossings consultation:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/22821.aspx and/or https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/river/crossings

Friends of the Earth media release when Boris Johnson scrapped the Thames Gateway road bridge in 2008:

http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/thames_gateway_road_bridge_06112008.html

Friends of the Earth briefing after the end of the Public Inquiry into the Thames Gateway road bridge:

http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/media_briefing/thames_gateway_bridge_07.pdf