Silvertown Tunnel protesters plan to block Blackwall Tunnel approach

Protesters campaigning against the Silvertown Tunnel are planning to block roads leading to the Blackwall Tunnel this Friday.

According to their Facebook page Extinction Rebellion will hold-up traffic on Angerstein roundabout and approaches to the Blackwall Tunnel. The same roads would lead to the Silvertown Tunnel if Mayor Sadiq Khan approves a contract imminently to build the scheme.

Protesters from Extinction Rebellion have previously taken direct action in central London and halted traffic in Lewisham.

After flying under the radar for some time, the tunnel is now rapidly gaining prominance. On the other side of the Thames many are now mobilising against a three-storey lorry park planned in Silvertown.

Greenwich Council remains one of the few that still support the tunnel alongside Mayor Sadiq Khan. They originally did so as part of “a package of crossings” though none of the others, such as a bridge at Thamesmead, are proceeding. A cycle crossing at Rotherhithe to the Isle of Dogs was cancelled last month.

Plans for extra Jubilee Line trains were also scrapped.

At a recent meeting some Greenwich councillors appeared unaware of lorry depot plans.

Some also claimed to be fighting to secure mitigation funding – apparently unaware the authority already secured funds after a year-long discussion with TfL after original numbers were deemed too low. The revised amount is still less than a small housing development brings the authority and work planned is minimal.

Far bigger sums have been brought in through the vast amount of new housing with little spent to encourage walking, cycling and sustainable transport.

Whilst proponents still talk of a new tunnel alleviating northbound queues in the morning peak, there is little word on how another tunnel of traffic will impact on afternoon queues on the Kent-bound A2 through Greenwich, Kidbrooke and Eltham despite the road reaching capacity each afternoon.