The debate surrounding the Silvertown Tunnel rumbled on as election candidates were pressed over how they would solve transport issues.

A final decision on building the tunnel, which would link Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks, is expected to be made by May 10.

Residents have long campaigned against the tunnel, claiming the project will exacerbate traffic and lead to worse air quality and longer journeys.

TfL said the £750m scheme would reduce accidents at the Blackwall Tunnel, cut down queues, and provide opportunity for cross-river bus services.

Dan Garrun, Green candidate in Peninsula ward, said: “I don’t see any argument that the Silvertown Tunnel will relieve traffic – if you build it they will come.

“Traffic doesn’t create jobs and pollution kills so that’s a pretty obvious problem. That needs to be opposed and I think that we expect a decision quite shortly after the election.

“I think it is worth pointing out that the leadership on the council does support the Silvertown Tunnel, and so does Len Devall, who leads the Labour group on the Mayor’s assembly – that’s a problem.

“One major problem on roads is that it’s dangerous for cyclists. Top of the agenda to sort that out is segregated cyclist lanes. Rat-running is a problem – it needs to be stopped and we should pedestrianise more streets.”

Labour councillor Chris Lloyd responded: “I actually agree with most of what Dan has said. We as local councillors have a long record of opposing the Silvertown Tunnel, it’s not going to be our decision, it’s going to be the secretary of state.

“When the second bore of the Blackwall Tunnel was opened in the 60s, traffic went up 100 per cent, whereas in the east of the borough around Thamesmead there is a lot of support for a river crossing, so I would suggest we build it there.”

Cllr Lloyd said money given by developers was being used to improve roads in Peninsula.

He said: “Where the old Archers leisure centre was, that will be remodelled to remove some of the old sets of traffic lights to slow down traffic, and coming up in the next year we as local councillors have secured more money to improve  the junction at Blackwall Lane down at that end so there will be less idling cars going through to Trafalgar Road.

“That pooled with money from TfL for the low emission zone is real action.”

Hundreds of people signed petitions for the Silvertown Tunnel to be scrapped over pollution and congestion fears.

When quizzed on the Silvertown Tunnel and transport infrastructure, Liberal Democrat candidate Richard Chamberlain said he wanted to see a tram route developed along the dual-carriageway from North Greenwich station to Thamesmead.

He said: “I would like more money spent on public transport I would get more electric buses and I think it is a good idea to have a congestion charge in the centre of Greenwich – I think that’s where some of the worst air quality is, going around the one way system.”

Conservative candidate Ben Green said: “I would love to see a new bridge, to send a bus over it. That is something we should look into. The whole transport network across north Greenwich and the whole of the borough doesn’t work. There’s not enough buses and we are not linked up enough.

“When I commute, I stand there whilst bus after bus goes past because it’s full.

“There’s simple things we can do, like a shuttle bus from here to the tube station. There’s more ambitious things like getting a DLR link into Greenwich, or having the Southwestern franchise handed over to TfL to ease the pain of some commuters.”