Alliance against road building

PRESS RELEASE – 23rd May 2005

NEW LONDON MOTORWAY WILL BRING GRIDLOCK

Top transport academic, Professor Phil Goodwin, after analysing the disputed Transport for London (TfL) figures for the Thames Gateway Bridge, has concluded there will massive traffic increases on numerous streets in east London, after construction. Some roads will see a quadrupling and trebling of traffic by 2016. Campaigners argue that TfL's figures are conservative, and that the increases in traffic will be even larger than the huge increases predicted by Professor Goodwin (1).

Local residents have argued that the new motorway would devastate their communities, with TfL predicting 20 million vehicles a year passing their homes. This is the first time that the impact of the bridge has been revealed, and demonstrates that road building simply generates more traffic.

Rebecca Lush of Road Block said:

"The regeneration of east London should not mean wasting half a billion pounds on a motorway that will only bring more traffic, noise and pollution to local residents. The people of London deserve better than this. Imagine what could be done with that money to create a sustainable transport system in this area of London. Road building simply encourages more traffic."

The figures are released as Objectors to the Bridge celebrate a significant victory that campaigners demands for a postponement of the Inquiry have been granted. Although Transport for London and other supporters of the bridge will still give evidence from the original start date of 7th June, the Inquiry will then adjourn until 13th September when Objectors will be heard. In the often rowdy pre-Inquiry meetings (2) campaigners had complained that the Inquiry was being fast tracked, information was being with held from Objectors, and they needed more time.

ENDS

For more information contact Jacqui Wise of local resident's group, Action Group Against the Bridge (AGAB) on 020 8301 4243, or Rebecca Lush of Road Block on 01803 847 649 or 07854 693067.

Notes to Editors

(1) The Professor Goodwin report is available from Richard Bourne, London campaigner for Transport 2000. Tel 020 7613 0743, ext 112. www.transport2000.org.uk

(2) At the first pre-inquiry meeting on 4th April, the meeting ended in chaos as the first Inspector refused demands for a postponement. As his microphone was seized, he fled the Inquiry and subsequently resigned. At the next meeting on 28th April, Objectors kept the Inquiry Inspector sitting for a marathon 12 hour meeting until 10.30pm, as they described how they had been obstructed in preparing their case against the road. This Inspector recommended the adjournment to the Secretaries of State.

(3) Road Block is an alliance against road building. Road Block launched in January in response to the Government's u-turn on transport policy. There are currently over 200 planned and proposed road schemes, indicating that the Government has given up on previous pledges to reduce traffic growth. Transport is the largest and fastest growing source of CO2 emissions, and is the key sector to tackle. See www.roadblock.org.uk.