GREENWICH Liberal Democrats are the first party in the area to come out against a new river crossing at the peninsula.

The Mayor of London's proposals would see a tunnel connecting Greenwich to Silvertown across the river, close to where the current Blackwall crossing is.

Those plans, backed by Greenwich Council, have led to a grassroots campaign being set up, claiming it will increase pollution and congestion.

Chairman of Greenwich Liberal Democrats Chris Smith said: "The current proposals have precious little to back them up whilst research from our local area and across the world points to the huge problems that could result.

"Key amongst those is the negative affect on the health of Greenwich residents who already suffer with unacceptably high levels of air pollution.

"The probability is that these new roads will fill up overnight, as they did when the M25 and the second Blackwall tunnel were built, thereby solving nothing."

Along with opposing the tunnel, the Lib Dems also oppose any sort of crossing at Gallions Reach in Thamesmead, citing concerns over road infrastructure.