A Belvedere pressure group has slammed Transport for London's (TfL) online consultation process and its handling of the Thamesmead and Belvedere river crossings.

Residents have less than one month to have their say on the Gallions Reach and Belvedere river crossings that will connect Thamesmead with Beckton and Belvedere with Rainham.

A TfL public consultation on the two new road crossings will run until Friday February 12.

The 10 week consultation on the plans opened December 2.

News Shopper:
BARC is worried that current infrastructure can't handle anymore traffic

Bexley Against Road Crossings' (BARC) chairman, Tony Fairburn, 77, of Upper Park Road, believes it's not right that a majority of people won't have enough time to have their say on such an important issue.

Mr Fairburn is also worried about the potential problems with pollution from road crossings.

His group supports the construction of rail crossings instead of a tunnel or road bridge.

He said: "Those people who really use public transport - like the elderly - don’t have access to the online consultation - it's not fair."

"And the main issues are pollution and congestion - it’s a common story.

Mr Fairburn added: "Unlike the Dartford Crossing, the infrastructure here just can’t cope with it - we want rail crossings."

News Shopper:
BARC believes the online consultation process hasn't been fair

Bexley Against Road Crossings has so far distributed 1,800 leaflets voicing its concerns over the plans.

Richard de Cani, the managing director for planning at TfL, said: "With the capital’s population rising rapidly and more much-needed housing being built, crossing the river will become ever more important.

TOP STORIES: "New cross-river connections can unlock opportunities for local people and help transform an area, supporting regeneration and development.

"We must progress plans for this package of crossings if we are to support London's growth and galvanise the economic potential it presents."

To find out more about Bexley Against Road Crossings visit www.bexleyarc.org.uk

To have your say on TfL’s new crossings visit www.tfl.gov.uk/east-london-crossings