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| Green groups accuse Sadiq Khan of betrayal over east London tunnel | Green groups accuse Sadiq Khan of betrayal over east London tunnel |
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| London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has angered green campaigners by approving a controversial four-lane road tunnel in east London. | London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has angered green campaigners by approving a controversial four-lane road tunnel in east London. |
| Critics of the £1bn Silvertown tunnel linking the Greenwich peninsula and the Royal Dock accused Khan of betrayal when he announced the go-ahead for a modified version of the plan on Tuesday. They suggested he was against the idea during his election campaign. | Critics of the £1bn Silvertown tunnel linking the Greenwich peninsula and the Royal Dock accused Khan of betrayal when he announced the go-ahead for a modified version of the plan on Tuesday. They suggested he was against the idea during his election campaign. |
| Khan said the latest plans for the tunnel had a “greener focus”, including a proposal for ferrying cyclists and their bikes through the tunnel by bus. | Khan said the latest plans for the tunnel had a “greener focus”, including a proposal for ferrying cyclists and their bikes through the tunnel by bus. |
| But Caroline Russell, the Green party London assembly member, said the tunnel would lead to more pollution and congestion. She also dismissed attempts to improve environmental credentials of the project as tokenistic. She said: “New roads attract new traffic, pollute the air and are incredibly expensive so it’s extremely disappointing that the mayor is pushing ahead with the damaging Silvertown tunnel.” | But Caroline Russell, the Green party London assembly member, said the tunnel would lead to more pollution and congestion. She also dismissed attempts to improve environmental credentials of the project as tokenistic. She said: “New roads attract new traffic, pollute the air and are incredibly expensive so it’s extremely disappointing that the mayor is pushing ahead with the damaging Silvertown tunnel.” |
| Her concerns were echoed by the No to Silvertown Tunnel campaign. Its chair, Anne Robbins, said: “For Sadiq Khan to call this a ‘greener Silvertown tunnel’ hides the fact that Greenwich and the Royal Docks would be a dumping ground for the south of England’s congestion and pollution. He talks a good game when it comes to pollution and congestion in central London, but communities in east and south-east London clearly don’t seem to matter as much. They will be living with even worse traffic and poorer air. | Her concerns were echoed by the No to Silvertown Tunnel campaign. Its chair, Anne Robbins, said: “For Sadiq Khan to call this a ‘greener Silvertown tunnel’ hides the fact that Greenwich and the Royal Docks would be a dumping ground for the south of England’s congestion and pollution. He talks a good game when it comes to pollution and congestion in central London, but communities in east and south-east London clearly don’t seem to matter as much. They will be living with even worse traffic and poorer air. |
| “Khan promised a full review of the tunnel but has made no attempt to reach out to those who will have to live with the consequences [of the scheme].” | “Khan promised a full review of the tunnel but has made no attempt to reach out to those who will have to live with the consequences [of the scheme].” |
| Sadiq Khan's 'greener' Silvertown Tunnel is a betrayal, campaigners say https://t.co/7qOpyfKd8D pic.twitter.com/hrIWDtfpQ2 | |
| The first stage of a planning inquiry into the project is due to begin next week. If it is approved, the tunnel – to be paid for by a toll – would open in 2023. | The first stage of a planning inquiry into the project is due to begin next week. If it is approved, the tunnel – to be paid for by a toll – would open in 2023. |
| Khan also announced his commitment to several other river crossings in east London, including accelerated plans for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf and a new Docklands Light Railway crossing at Gallions Reach. | Khan also announced his commitment to several other river crossings in east London, including accelerated plans for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf and a new Docklands Light Railway crossing at Gallions Reach. |
| Khan said: “It’s no secret that London has long needed more river crossings in the east. But we don’t want these to have a damaging impact on our environment, and that’s why I’ve reviewed and improved plans for Silvertown tunnel and why I’m pushing forward with crossings that encourage public transport, walking and cycling. As we continue to unlock the massive economic potential of east London, we must secure the very best transport infrastructure that improves the quality of life for everyone living and working in the area.” | Khan said: “It’s no secret that London has long needed more river crossings in the east. But we don’t want these to have a damaging impact on our environment, and that’s why I’ve reviewed and improved plans for Silvertown tunnel and why I’m pushing forward with crossings that encourage public transport, walking and cycling. As we continue to unlock the massive economic potential of east London, we must secure the very best transport infrastructure that improves the quality of life for everyone living and working in the area.” |
| The Rotherhithe pedestrian and cycle bridge, which was one of Khan’s manifesto commitments, will need to be opened up for passing ships. The mayor’s office has yet to decide whether this should be by a conventional bascule bridge (drawbridge) or a more innovative swing bridge. A competition for designs will open next year. | The Rotherhithe pedestrian and cycle bridge, which was one of Khan’s manifesto commitments, will need to be opened up for passing ships. The mayor’s office has yet to decide whether this should be by a conventional bascule bridge (drawbridge) or a more innovative swing bridge. A competition for designs will open next year. |
| David Leam, infrastructure director at London First, which represents businesses in the capital, said: “Better river crossings will help unlock the economic potential of east and south-east London and connect thousands of new homes in Newham, Barking, Greenwich and elsewhere. We’re delighted the mayor has sped up these plans, aiming to deliver new ways of getting across the river within the next five to 10 years.” | David Leam, infrastructure director at London First, which represents businesses in the capital, said: “Better river crossings will help unlock the economic potential of east and south-east London and connect thousands of new homes in Newham, Barking, Greenwich and elsewhere. We’re delighted the mayor has sped up these plans, aiming to deliver new ways of getting across the river within the next five to 10 years.” |