Council Steps up its Fight Over River Crossings
Bexley Councillors have overwhelmingly backed a call for the re-opening of
the public inquiry into the Thames Gateway Bridge and condemned Transport for
London's decision to scrap the tidal flow system at the Blackwall Tunnel.
Following the decisive vote at last night's full Council meeting, Council
Leader Cllr Ian Clement signed a letter to the Government asking for the public
inquiry on the Thames Gateway Bridge to be reconvened and Cllr
Peter Craske,
the Council's Cabinet member for Transport, signed another objecting to the
changes to the Blackwall Tunnel and asking for more information on the reasons
for the change.
"There is real outrage about the plans for the three river crossings
and it is only right that the implications of recent decisions should be considered
by the Public Inquiry into the new bridge," says Cllr Clement. "These
decisions will have a massive impact on our residents and businesses and the
voices of local people and the people that represent them must be heard."
Cllr Craske adds: "Taking out the extra northbound lane of the Blackwall
Tunnel during the morning rush hour has had an immediate impact and a disastrous
effect on the routes leading to the Tunnel. We deserve honest answers from
TfL on the real reasons for the change and to see the evidence for their claims
of a new risk to drivers."
