Q7. Will the council commit to opposing national infrastructure projects like the silvertown tunnel. There is evidence that these projects increase traffic rather than reducing it. How can the council support green renewable projects while expressing support for projects that will increase emissions and pollution in the borough?
Q8 Part of the council strategy is a reduction in HGV emissions. How will support for the Silvertown Tunnel help to achieve this?
Silver Town Tunnel
Assessment of traffic impacts by TfL suggest that the scheme (compared with no implementing) will reduce CO2 emissions in 2021 (projected scheme opening at time of submission) but will increase them by 2036.
Throughout the Development Consent Order process, the Council offered ‘in principle’ support for the scheme recognising the potential benefits to substantially reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in an area with sharp exceedances of NO2 legal limits.
Support was, amongst other matters contingent upon the forecast air quality improvements being fully secured and any possible adverse impacts upon air quality fully mitigated.
Any increase in GHG emissions from the scheme does not change the targets set to the borough via the Mayor Transport Strategy to reduce carbon emissions from transport sources in the borough by 72 per cent by 2041 (from 2013 baseline).
Find out more on the Project details. In here you will find details of LBTH representations to the Planning Inspectorate setting out our position throughout the Examination in Public.