New Thames crossing consultation to open for Greenwich and Bexley (From News Shopper)
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New Thames crossing consultation to open for Greenwich and Bexley
10:55am Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By George Sargent
The Blackwall Tunnel is often congested
A SECOND consultation will be launched at the end of this month into new Thames crossings in Greenwich and Bexley.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is promoting a tunnel at Silvertown, connecting with the Greenwich peninsula, and a ferry link between Thamesmead and Beckton.
The first consultation on the crossings took place in February this year.
The second consultation will run from October 29 to February 1 next year.
Transport for London (TFL) says the 49-year-old Woolwich ferry needs to be replaced by a Gallions Reach ferry which will hold more cars.
It claims it could be delivered by 2017 if planning permission and funding can be assured.
A Silvertown tunnel would offer an alternative to the crowded Blackwall Tunnel and be able to support taller vehicles.
It would have an estimated capacity of 2,400 vehicles per hour in each direction.
TFL says the earliest this could open would be 2021.
Plans for a six-lane Thames Gateway Bridge, between Thamesmead and Beckton, were scrapped by the Mayor in 2008 after widespread protestation.
Three drop-in sessions are scheduled for those living and working in Bexley
Saturday November17 10am to 4pm - Abbey Wood Community Centre in Knee Hill
Monday November 26 3pm to 6.30pm - Thamesmead Library in Binsey Walk
Thursday December 6 10am to 8pm - Broadway Shopping Centre in Broadway
Those wishing to contribute to the discussion can go to consultations.tfl.gov.uk/river/crossings once the consultation period begins.
Comments(5)
RoyalCitizen
says...
2:42pm Mon 22 Oct 12
The Golden Rule with traffic is the more capacity you create, the more traffic will be encouraged to use it.
Who remembers the consultation for the M25? Back then, the stated facts were about 60percent of traffic in London was travelling through the city to the other side. Therefore, the M25 could theoretically reduce London traffic to 40percent.
After the completion of the M25, was London cleared of 60percent of traffic? No.
Traffic in London is just the same, and the M25 is full to capacity.
If a new crossing near Blackwall is built, this will ultimately require the widening of the Rochester Way relief road through Eltham. Then the A2 from Falconwood to beyond Bexley will have to be widened, as it is currently 2 lanes plus 1 local.
When that is done, there will be a new bottleneck to cross the river as the extra capacity to the Greenwich peninsula will bring more traffic.
It's a merry-go-round!
j.j.
says...
1:08pm Tue 23 Oct 12
RoyalCitizen wrote:I don't think the case with M25 relevant anymore because we now have more options with public transport, technology that allows for variable road tolls, tighter economic circumstances, more international competition etc.
A new crossing will only move the traffic bottleneck to the next interchange. Instead of queuing to Blackwall Tunnel, the traffic will be queuing to get onto the A13, or off the A102(M). The Golden Rule with traffic is the more capacity you create, the more traffic will be encouraged to use it. Who remembers the consultation for the M25? Back then, the stated facts were about 60percent of traffic in London was travelling through the city to the other side. Therefore, the M25 could theoretically reduce London traffic to 40percent. After the completion of the M25, was London cleared of 60percent of traffic? No. Traffic in London is just the same, and the M25 is full to capacity. If a new crossing near Blackwall is built, this will ultimately require the widening of the Rochester Way relief road through Eltham. Then the A2 from Falconwood to beyond Bexley will have to be widened, as it is currently 2 lanes plus 1 local. When that is done, there will be a new bottleneck to cross the river as the extra capacity to the Greenwich peninsula will bring more traffic. It's a merry-go-round!
Let me explain:
Very many people, eg. sales people and tradesmen, have no choice but to drive. SE London has a huge disadvatage because these people face long delays and a lot of potentially productive time is spend producing only exhaust fumes. The way to deal with potentially excessive traffic is not to them sit in their cars for no purpose, but to encourage people to use public transport where possible and to charge for road use where needed.
Let's assume that it would cost £2 to use the Blackwall crossings (about the same as Dartford and electronically charged) and that the income was used to subsidise public transport. Fewer people would use the tunnel, but those who depend on it would get much quicker to their destination and be more productive. And those who have a choice would be more likely to use public transport because of the increased price difference and improved service. Everybody would be happier as a result (except for those who on ideological grounds oppose private motoring).
highway warrior
says...
11:17am Wed 24 Oct 12
RoyalCitizen
says...
10:17am Thu 25 Oct 12
Vitually all motorways are publicly funded, and they can only be used by motorized traffic. Yet the Government is not applying the same rule to these users.
If Government is willing to fund road users, they should also be funding other transport users to the same level.
Bus and Rail fares are too high. If you already own a car, there is no economic justification or incentive to use any other transport method.
joertmclark says...
12:32pm Mon 22 Oct 12