Archived press release

Tyne tunnel decision goes into extra time

15 August 2002

Today’s decision by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to delay a decision on whether to order a public inquiry on the proposed New Tyne Crossing reveals the deep flaws that have riddled the whole project, Friends of the Earth said.

The delay is believed to be due to major concerns raised by the government’s own agencies, English Nature and the Environment Agency, about the adequacy of the Environmental Statement prepared by the promoters, the Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority.

South Tyneside Friends of the Earth campaigner Bryan Atkinson said:

“John Prescott has called for more information and more time – and under the circumstances, he had no choice. But this is because the tunnel promoters have failed to provide the necessary information, despite having had four years to prepare their case. They might be able to fill in some of the gaps, but they won’t be able to sort out the fundamental flaws of their scheme. The sooner we get to a public inquiry the better, Then we can hopefully get rid of this misguided proposal and send the promoters back to the drawing board to find a real answer to Tyneside’s traffic and employment problems.”

Friends of the Earth believes John Prescott should call a public inquiry because:

• there will be huge rises in traffic levels, not just on the A19 river crossing but also on adjoining roads;
• the promoters cannot give any accurate estimate of the number of jobs that will be created;
• the promoters admit that public transport alternatives were not properly considered, even though the area has low car ownership;
• the proposal conflicts with many aspects of Government transport policy, as laid down in the 1998 White Papers on transport and roads, published by Mr Prescott himself; and
• it is unclear what will happen to tens of thousands of tonnes of potentially contaminated waste material.
  

Full details of Friends of the Earth’s objections to the proposed New Tyne Crossing are available on request.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust