Activists urge Greenwich council to take firm stance against plans for Silvertown Tunnel

By Lachlan Leeming, Local Democracy Reporter

Activists fighting against the proposed Silvertown Tunnel have urged town hall chiefs to turn up the heat in opposing the plans.

Members of the public made repeated requests at Greenwich council’s full meeting of council last month for the authority to take a stronger stance against the tunnel, planned to connect Royal Docks and Greenwich.

Resident Izzy Hickmet said to councillors during public question time: “Ultimately the Silvertown Tunnel decision is a political decision and most political decisions are overturned by political pressure.

“Therefore we need to make sure there’s no stalling on the climate emergency…why has the council still failed to call on a motion for Silvertown Tunnel to be paused and cancelled?”

Cabinet member for air quality, transport and sustainability Denise Scott-McDonald, said: “We are very disappointed as a Labour group because we asked the Mayor to pause (a decision) but I can’t say anything more than that.

“Right now there’s no avenue to make any legal decision or legally challenge this in any way.”

Cllr Scott-McDonald confirmed the council hadn’t met with Mayor Sadiq Khan regarding the project, but had met with a deputy mayor.

Another member of the public asked if London Assembly member for Greenwich and Lewisham Len Duvall had been lobbied regarding the tunnel.

“I’m not aware if anything is going on with him, but I’m more than happy to contact his office about it,” Cllr Scott-McDonald replied.

The update comes as Liberal Democrat candidate for London Mayor, Siobhan Benita, pledged earlier this week to scrap it if she is elected in May.

The Green Party has also been long-term opponents to the project, which was agreed in November, when Transport for London announced the £1billion contract would go to Riverlinx Consortium.