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The consultation on the tunnel is now open on TfL's website:
https://www.tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/silvertown-tunnelFill it in!
Even if you're not opposed to the tunnel, TfL are saying that the Emirates Air Line deals with the pedestrian and cyclist demand (as the tunnel is proposed to be motor vehicles only).
That's the Air Line which shuts at 8pm in winter and 9pm in summer, and costs £6.60 return, even with an Oyster.
The fee TfL are proposing for a car to drive through the new tunnel? £2.50, in line with Dartford.
As far as I can make out, this hits cyclists hardest as TfL are proposing new bus links through the tunnel, so pedestrians will be able to pay a bus fare (24 hours a day) to get across.
So yeah, it's a bit shit really. Way to encourage modal shift TfL!
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Done!
Thanks for the research and posting link. -
TfL are saying that the Emirates Air Line deals with the pedestrian and cyclist demand
To be fair, they say that is 'in addition to existing links at Greenwich and Woolwich', i.e. the 24-hour foot tunnels and free ferry.
Never really felt the need to cycle any of the A12 myself, though I did once accidentally ride along the Limehouse Link. I did not stop.
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Bump. The consultation deadline for the Silvertown Tunnel (which TfL are treating as a done deal) is getting close (29th November). Make sure you put a response in.
As per above, passim, The Silvertown Tunnel would mark the return of urban motorway building.
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/silvertown/consult_view
The form to fill in is here:
There are around 200 documents in supporting documentation to download, but they are for the most part entirely worthless (as is customary for unjustifiable motor traffic projects). Still, don't take my word for it if you like cruel and unusual punishment. If you'd rather avoid this, the No to Silvertown Tunnel campaign has useful information that you might want to use to inform your response:
Of course, if you support it, just say 'yes' and carry the unspeakable shame inside you for the rest of your life. :)
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Here's some more info from the LCC suggesting how to respond, if you agree:
http://lcc.org.uk/articles/take-action-silvertown-tunnel-bad-news-for-cycling
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Two more days to submit your consultation response.
This article exposes quite well the silly greenwash-speak TfL is using to justify the tunnel. Of course it would attract higher levels of through motor traffic, even if tolled. Far from this being a desirable thing that would justify building it, it is the principal reason for opposing it. The argument 'but we'll have such a population increase that we need more traffic capacity' is simply bollocks, as in more densely-populated cities the need to travel should decrease, not increase. More people in more places and less thinly-populated or unused land means that diversity and mixed use can increase in more areas, not decrease, enabling people to stay closer to where they live. Any city putting on population that doesn't capitalise on this potential is doing something very, very wrong.
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In other news, pigs will fly and bears don't actually shit in the woods.
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Keeping this in the news ... I don't expect it will be stopped, but it would be of huge benefit to London if this completely misguided decision were reversed:
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I didn't realise there was still action on this; haven't been following it:
All power to those trying to prevent it.
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Very bad, depressing news:
The worst transport-related decision made by the current Mayor. The harm done will be felt for generations to come.
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Good on the activists for still not giving up:
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I hope they can continue to push the racism and equality angle on this. Khan has an "opportunity" here to reconsider but I am being naive.
There remains massive ignorance and marginalising of the induced traffic argument even among professionals and their institutions, and insufficent notice of it at a policy level. But I'm not aware what processes can be used to stop this polluting and dangerous scheme from happening.
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Still hoping it can somehow be cancelled, perhaps through lack of funding, but the usual bullshit from the Mayor's office in this article suggests that it's been prioritised:
The keys to the locks around the protesters’ necks have been delivered to the city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, with a note asking him to come and talk to them. However, the mayor’s office issued a statement ignoring the request and confirming plans to build the Silvertown tunnel are continuing.
[...]
“It is possible to reduce congestion and improve river crossings in the east of London while also tackling air pollution,” a spokesperson said.
Well done to those trying to keep up the pressure, even if it is ultimately futile. Not much evidence of pushing the racism angle, though (no idea how effective that would be).
“Introducing tolls on both the Blackwall tunnel and at Silvertown – and the extension of the ‘Ultra Low Emission Zone’ from 2021 so that Silvertown will be within the area covered – will play a crucial role in tackling congestion, improving overall air quality and providing much-needed additional bus services across the river.”
Read: We need funding sources, so we want to toll the tunnels. As with Congestion Charging, capacity will briefly be freed and then be maxed out again as businesses pass the cost on to their customers. Result: Same levels of congestion as before, with more motor traffic.
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Also, this is new(ish) and linked to in the article, but deserves a direct link here:
https://transportactionnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Stop-Digging-Report.pdf
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Just put it out of its misery already ...
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Good on Rosamund Kissi-Debrah for speaking out:
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Tunnel vision? Why the approved Thames crossing at Silvertown could be in doubt
https://www.cityam.com/no-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-for-silvertown-say-campaigners/
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Good to see people are keeping up the pressure. I really hope they don't waste too much time on the modelling nonsense. It's a total dead end. Modelling can come up with any result you or the proponents want. You may well be called out on it if you've done it in a questionable way, but the resulting fine-grained technical discussion won't get you any public support. I hope they concentrate on the key points.
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To anyone who is a Labour member: There is a motion doing the rounds in London Labour party branches. I got it passed at the Gipsy Hill branch last month, it was then in turn passed at Dulwich and West Norwood constituency party meeting by 85%, the aim being to get Helen Hayes MP to join other Labour MPs in calling in Sadiq to cancel the tunnel.
So far, MPs for West Ham, Thamesmead, Greenwich are all calling on him to call it off. I really think we can win this one.
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Silvertown Tunnel campaign needs your support
Posted by
@FrancisSedgemore
That's a pity.
I look forward to reading the study results!