Green the Silvertown Tunnel!
“The way to cut pollution and climate change is to encourage people to walk, bicycle and use public transport. This multi-billion pound project, the Silvertown Tunnel, does exactly the opposite!” Rob Blackie, a Liberal Democrat campaigner, explained when he visited the construction site earlier this year.
Set to open in 2025, the new dual carriageway for HGVs, buses and cars to cross the river from Greenwich to Silvertown will increase congestion and pollution in our borough. Residents of Greenwich and other boroughs will have to contribute to the funding of the construction. Drivers will have to pay a toll each way of up to £5 per trip to use both the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels from 2025.
The Liberal Democrats have led the opposition to the building of the Silvertown Tunnel since it was first proposed. Sadiq Khan hasn’t listened to environmental concerns. He has pushed through the building of the tunnel claiming it will lessen pollution and congestion. But modelling shows us that more river crossings and roads create more road users and bottlenecks. Greenwich through to Blackheath and Eltham will be affected and roads further afield as well. Rob Blackie, is calling the route, “Sadiq Khan’s motorway”, to highlight the damage it does to the Mayor's green credentials.
The Liberal Democrats want to mitigate the worst effects of the project and Rob Blackie has a plan to “Green the Tunnel” with the measures below.
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Developing a new Transport Plan for Outer London – to speed up our transition to lower carbon transport.
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Increasing the number of green river crossings in the East of London, including restoring the Woolwich Ferry to a full and reliable service.
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Expanding upon the Superloop scheme and creating more bus services
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Offer significant discounts to local residents in Greenwich, Newham and Tower Hamlets who will bear the environmental cost of the tunnel.