Released: Our visions for London's newest Thames crossing

For the first time in 30 years, a new road tunnel is being built under the Thames. It is planned to open in 2025 and will connect Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula in east London.

Transport for London hope that this crossing will reduce congestion and allow for better public transport links. But if these tunnels are open to private cars, there’s a risk that this will only increase car use in the capital, a threat to London’s air quality and its efforts to reduce the city’s carbon emissions.

“Opening up a new artery of traffic to try and eradicate traffic doesn’t make any sense at all. Instead, we need to give Londoners more options for crossing the river in east London, and that means opening up the Silvertown Tunnel to walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport.” Hirra Khan Adeogun, Possible.

We propose that this Thames crossing should be completely free of private cars, and this is what we have in mind:

In the first of the twin bores we propose a high quality walking, wheeling and cycling route with a lane reserved for buses. The bus lane will be separated from the walking, wheeling and cycling lanes, and would be a single bi-directional lane to enable ample room for cyclists and pedestrians in the tunnel. An art installation throughout the tunnel will make it an inviting environment for those walking, wheeling and cycling. 

With the second bore, we are proposing an extension of the TfL network with a new line from Canning Town on the DLR and Jubilee Lines to Kidbrooke south of the river. This DLR extension also has the possibility of continuing to Eltham and Falconwood connecting other national rail lines as well as areas poorly served by public transport. This new link has the potential to carry 17-21 million passengers a year, with the potential to eradicate a huge number of car journeys. 

“A car-free, toll-free crossing is good for Londoners, good for our air quality, and good for our climate. It’s in line with the Mayor’s own strategy, so he should back it”. Hirra Khan Adeogun.

Both of these proposals are brought to life in two new architectural visualisations. Similar ideas were outlined in a recent report by Sian Berry AM of the Green Party.

Under our proposals, the car-free crossing would be entirely toll-free in order to incentivise journeys made without private cars. This is in line with the Mayor’s own transport strategy which calls for 80% of trips in London to be made by walking, wheeling, cycling or public transport by 2041.

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