The Silvertown Tunnel is a 1970s answer to a 21^st century problem, according to Simon Pirani of the Stop Silvertown Tunnel Coalition.

Simon, who is author of the report The Silvertown Tunnel is in a hole, so STOP DIGGING, was speaking at a webinar organised by the coalition on 4 December with nine other speakers and more than 100 attendees.

He said: “It is based on feasibility studies carried out pre COVID-19 and before the demands of the Climate and Ecological Emergency were taken on board”.

Work is due to start next year on the £1.2 billion tunnel that will link the Royal Docks with the Greenwich peninsula. The scheme has sparked widespread opposition on both sides of the river, including demonstrations like the one pictured above.

Opponents say the new road network, that includes the Silvertown tunnel, is an expensive mistake that will attract more traffic and increase pollution in an already over polluted part of London. But Transport for London and Mayor Sadiq Khan say the tunnel is necessary to relieve pressure on the Blackwall tunnel as the existing river crossing infrastructure is antiquated. TFL say they will put in place measures to minimise any increase in pollution.

Stop Silvertown Tunnel Coalition, a cross-party campaign, is planning a community action event to take place early next year.

Newham Voices will look at the issue in depth in our next edition, due out at the end of January.

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