We’re a group of south-east London residents who are opposed to the construction of the Silvertown Tunnel, a new road link across the Thames to feed into the A102 at the Greenwich Peninsula – effectively a third Blackwall Tunnel.

It’s claimed that it will relieve congestion, but we believe this is misleading. For decades, and as recently as 2006, studies have shown that building new roads attracts new cars. The jams that blight the Blackwall Tunnel now will return as drivers seek to avoid tolls at the Dartford Tunnel. Then what will happen next?

This congestion brings pollution, which kills. In 2008, pollution was responsible for 150 deaths in Greenwich borough alone. We’ve done our own monitoring and found pollution already above legal limits along the A102, A2 and A206 in Greenwich, Charlton and Eltham.

You think “something must be done”? It certainly must, but expecting the four-lane A2 and A102 to handle more traffic isn’t it. A bridge at Gallions Reach, Thamesmead, would also bring its own problems. The A2 and A102 corridor is essentially a rat run for traffic avoiding tolls on the Dartford Crossing. We believe planners should continue to invest in crossings for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists; but should take action to ensure fewer vehicles needlessly enter south-east London in the first place before considering any new road crossings in London.

We hope this website informs you of the facts, provokes debate about the effects of traffic and pollution in our communities, and empowers community groups to get involved and do their own testing, to debunk the myths being spread by the Mayor of London and Greenwich Council.

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