London Mayor promises raft of new river crossings that encourage cycling, walking and use of public transport, including proposals for a 'cycle-bus' for riders using planned Silvertown Tunnel
London Mayor Sadiq Khan yesterday set out new plans to make crossing the Rover Thames a safer, greener experience.
Alongside a promise to "accelerate" plans to develop a new pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf and an extension to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Khan also announced changes to the controversial Silvertown Tunnel project in East London, which he promised would cut air pollution and allow greener transport methods to use the new crossing.
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"It's no secret that London has long needed more river crossings in the east," Khan said in a statement. "With new homes and economic growth across East London, it becomes even more important that we deliver new greener transport links that allow Londoners to cross the river quickly and more easily.
"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 £1bn Silvertown Tunnel, a new tolled river crossing connecting the Royal Docks with the Greenwich peninsula, is designed to serve the huge numbers of new homes and businesses under construction in the area and ease the long queues of traffic which build up regularly at the nearby Blackwall Tunnel.
But the scheme has faced fierce opposition from local councils, landowners and residents, who fear it will increase air pollution in the area.
The adjustments set out yesterday by Khan and his team at City Hall aim to address these concerns. The Mayor pledged new green bus routes through the tunnel, including a bus concession for local residents, promised more construction material would be delivered by river rather than road to ease congestion, and outlined plans for more pedestrian and cycle routes near the tunnel's entrance and exits.
Khan also promised to consider providing a "bespoke cycle-bus" which will carry cyclists and bikes through the four-lane tunnel.
But critics yesterday accused the Mayor of offering "tokenistic" concessions while pushing ahead with a scheme that will inflate congestion and pollution.
"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," Green Party London Assembly Member Caroline Russell said in a statement. "He claims he will deliver a 'greener' tunnel but the measures he has suggested are tokenistic. This is still a hugely damaging project."
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