Responding to today’s announcement that London Mayor Boris Johnson will scrap proposals to build a new six-lane road bridge across the Thames between Greenwich and Beckton in East London, Friends of the Earth London Campaigner Jenny Bates said:

“We’re delighted that the Mayor has stuck to his manifesto pledge to scrap plans for the Thames Gateway road bridge – this is a tremendous victory for local communities who will be spared the blight of more congestion, noise and air pollution."

“We hope the decision signals an end to discredited and outdated attempts to regenerate London by simply building more roads – any new scheme should bring the benefits of regeneration without causing environmental problems."

“Boris Johnson must now come up with transport plans that ensure the capital cuts its carbon footprint and is positioned at the forefront of measures to tackle climate change.”

1. Friends of the Earth has consistently objected to the Thames Gateway road bridge scheme since 2000 and has helped raise awareness of the social and environmental problems associated with it.

2. The environmental campaigning organisation has called for investment in alternative transport options like public transport, walking and cycling to improve access for people to jobs and key services without the consequences of increased traffic, noise and air pollution and less safety.

3. Background briefing on the Thames Gateway road bridge

4. The inspector’s report from the 2005-06 public inquiry found that:
• regeneration benefits do not “substantially outweigh” “the disbenefits of the scheme in terms of increased traffic, reduced safety, increased air pollution, and a shift against walking, cycling and public transport in favour of the private car” (9.422)
• the “whole justification of the TGB is based not on reducing the need to travel, but on increasing it” (9.145), that it “would facilitate commuting by car” (9.146) and be “likely to cause increased congestion” (9.187)
• the scheme would “result in a negative contribution to the Government’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gases” (9.427)
• of air quality being made worse as a result of the TGB: “in an area in which air quality has historically been low, and where it is identified as a current problem, I do not regard that as acceptable” (9.416).

5. Boris Johnson's 2008 election manifesto for transport on the Thames Gateway bridge said:
 
“I support in principle the need for an extra river crossing upstream from Tower Bridge to ease congestion and aid economic growth. However, any scheme will have
to deal with the issues on both sides of the river in terms of traffic management, safeguarding the environment and public transport usage. The current scheme for a Thames Gateway Bridge does not currently fulfill these criteria; therefore I do not support the scheme in its present form.”
 
6. Brief timeline of the Thames Gateway bridge (TGB)
 
1996: the Government announces ‘package of 3’ river crossings proposed for east London, including the TGB
 
2000: the scheme in its current form is promoted, consultation was held in 2003 without proper information being available, and again in 2004 ahead of planning permission sought from Greenwich & Newham councils - Friends of the Earth leaflet local people raising awareness.
 
2005 - 2006: a nearly year-long public inquiry was held, which resulted in the Inspector's report recommending that permission be refused. He agreed with objectors that the regeneration benefits did not outweigh the considerable problems of the scheme.
 
2007: the Government released the Inspector's report but asked for further information and a re-opening of the public inquiry, planned for 2009. Friends of the Earth work to help investigate better alternatives.
 
2008: Boris Johnson's election manifesto pledged to scrap the scheme