Representation by Stop the Silvertown Tunnel Coalition (Stop the Silvertown Tunnel Coalition)
- Date submitted
- 17 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
If built, the Lower Thames Crossing would cause significant induced traffic demand, centred around the M25/LTC/M2 triangle. Expected increase in cross river traffic is around 50%, with the following ill effects. A. Climate 1. The Lower Thames Crossing is incompatible with the UK’s climate targets. It would emit around 6.6m tonnes of carbon in total. Its construction runs counter to the government’s Net Zero Strategy. 2. The UK is falling short of its own targets. Failure to cut transport sector emissions is a national emergency which the LTC would make worse. During construction, the LTC would each year add more than 0.3% of 2019 emissions, at a time when they should be falling sharply. During sixty years of use, the LTC would each year add more than 0.04% of 2019 domestic transport emissions - between four and six decades past the point at which transport sector emissions should be reduced to zero. 3. Research shows that new fossil-fuel-intensive infrastructure will put climate targets further out of reach. That includes roads, for decades, even if optimistic forecasts on electric vehicles are realised. We will cite examples to demonstrate this in our more detailed submission. B. Air pollution Recent research is producing a mass of information on the very serious impact of air pollution on health, especially children’s. The whole new LTC route would fail WHO targets for highly damaging PM2.5 particles. These are emitted by electric as well as petrol/diesel vehicles. National Highways’ own data shows Dartford Tunnel traffic would still be over capacity, and induced traffic round the M25/LTC/M2 triangle will bring more pollution. Certain crucial questions remain unanswered, e.g. on tunnel ventilation and on incidents that cause traffic to try switching crossings. C. Multiple road projects; LTC combined with Silvertown Tunnel Multiple road projects have cumulative impacts. Contributory factors include induced traffic and stimulation of vehicle purchases; all this impacts negatively on emissions reduction. The combination of Silvertown Tunnel and the M25/LTC/M2 triangle would induce people to make travel decisions that are contrary to the requirements of UK policy and targets, leading to a considerable increase in local and longer-distance traffic alongside and crossing the river. D. Opportunity cost Financial and other resources should be put into projects that rapidly reduce transport sector emissions, not the LTC. Nationally, its £8bn+ cost could e.g. help reverse the reduced scope of Northern Powerhouse Rail. Locally, the Thames between Tower Bridge and Gravesend badly needs additional crossings for public transport and active travel. The LTC has no provision for either. Yet these are the forms of transport we must encourage, to meet carbon and air pollution targets.