Silvertown tunnel decision delayed due to air quality. Scheme should be scrapped – says Friends of the Earth

Press release
The decision on whether to give the go-ahead to the Silvertown road tunnel in East London has been delayed. The road-building scheme will add to London's air pollution problem.
  Published:  07 Nov 2017    |      1 minute read

The deadline for a decision on whether to give the go-ahead to a four-lane road tunnel in East London has been pushed back by a further six months to “enable further consideration of the effect of the scheme on air quality”.

Environmental charity Friends of the Earth are calling for the Silvertown tunnel scheme to be scrapped to protect Londoners’ lungs.

Commenting on the delay, Jenny Bates, Friends of the Earth, air pollution campaigner, said:

“This is a welcome delay to an outdated road scheme which would add pollution to some of the worst air in the country, unfairly affecting the health of some of the most disadvantaged in our society.

“Alternative ways to relieve congestion from the Blackwall tunnel exist. If the Mayor is serious about dealing with London’s toxic air, he must take this chance to abandon this damaging scheme and instead invest in ways to help people walk, cycle and access public transport more easily.”