Have your say on Silvertown river crossing

8 Oct 2015 09:29 AM

A consultation has been launched to find out what Londoners think about a new cross-Thames tunnel linking Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks.

If given the go-ahead, Silvertown Tunnel would relieve pressure from nearby Blackwall Tunnel, which on an average day experiences two-mile tailbacks at peak times.

This transport link would also support thousands of new homes and jobs in the area, with extra and enhanced bus routes providing up to 37 buses an hour in each direction.

The tunnel is part of TfL's plan to build a number of bridges and tunnels to support the capital's rapidly growing population - expected to reach 10 million by 2030. Other road-based crossings, at locations including Gallions Reach and Belvedere, are being explored, as well as extra public transport connections across the river.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'Delivering a host of new river crossings to the east is essential for the future success and prosperity of a growing capital city like ours.

'The Silvertown Tunnel is a hugely important piece of new infrastructure that would provide a new link beneath the Thames from two of our city's great opportunity areas for new homes and jobs.'

Local support for the project is high, with a recent TfL business survey showing that two thirds of businesses in East and South London felt that congestion at Blackwall Tunnel is either a constraint or disruptive to their business. In an earlier consultation held in March, 80% of respondents agreed that the Silvertown Tunnel is needed.

If plans are successful, work to build the crossing could start in 2018 and be finished by 2022.

Comment on the proposals on the consultation page before 29 November.