Archived press release

New tyne crossing consultants cost locals 30 each

14 August 2002

Consultants’ fees alone for the proposed New Tyne Crossing [1] will amount to over £30 for every man, woman and child in North and South Tyneside, according to figures released today by Friends of the Earth.

According to the application documents submitted by the promoters, the Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority, the estimated cost of ‘fees of professional and other advisers’ is £10,430,000. This is 7.5% of the total cost of the project, which is almost £140 million [2].

South Tyneside Friends of the Earth campaigner Bryan Atkinson said:
“People in North and South Tyneside will be shocked to see how much money is being wasted on consultants for a scheme that won’t solve their transport and employment problems. Surely there are better things to spend this money on, such as improving public transport and making the streets safer. Ten million pounds would make a huge difference.”

Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, will announce on Friday his decision on whether or not to hold a public inquiry into the scheme. A full briefing, explaining the background to the scheme and Friends of the Earth’s objections is available on request.

Notes

1. The New Tyne Crossing (NTC) is a second road tunnel under the River Tyne, running between East Howden on the north bank and Jarrow on the south bank. The NTC is being promoted by the Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority.
   
2. The cost is calculated by dividing the £10,430,000 estimated cost of consultants by the population of North Tyneside (194,067) and South Tyneside (152,710).The cost estimate is contained in section 7 of the Proposed River Tyne (Tunnels) Order, as submitted to the Government. The total cost of the project is estimated to be £138,940,000.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust