Silvertown Tunnel: What Greenwich, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham and Southwark say about the project

Sadiq Khan’s largest infrastructure project is also proving increasingly to be one of his most controversial. We are of course talking about the Silvertown Tunnel.

Initially conceived under Ken Livingstone before plans were further progressed under Boris Johnson, with Mr Khan giving it the final approval in 2018, the scheme has been the subject of a seemingly growing level of opposition from boroughs and MPs in areas due to be impacted.

Designed to connect the Greenwich peninsula with Silvertown in Newham, Mr Khan says it is essential to relieve congestion around the Blackwall Tunnel, with new zero-emission, cross-river bus services to be introduced as part of the project.

However, others argue it will instead result in a huge increase in carbon emissions, with Imperial College researchers recently recommending it be cancelled for London to meet key climate targets.

Tower Hamlets, which borders Newham and will be affected if the tunnel is completed, last year refused to oppose it, with the council’s claim it will make the borough “cleaner and greener” labelled “bonkers” by a local GP.

Below are the boroughs which have publicly opposed the Silvertown Tunnel so far.

Greenwich

Having initially supported the construction of the tunnel, Greenwich Council changed course in March 2022, when councillors overwhelmingly passed a motion calling for it to be halted.

On Wednesday (June 28), the council is due to debate a motion submitted by three Labour councillors, which, if passed, means it will demand Mr Khan prioritises public transport and cycling.

Hackney

Hackney Council passed a motion opposing the Silvertown Tunnel back in 2015, when Labour and Lib Dem councillors came together to call for the scheme to be cancelled.

In 2019, it was revealed that Hackney had tried to encourage other councils to sign a joint-letter to the mayor, in an attempt to suspend the project ahead of the contract being awarded to the Riverlinx Consortium.

Lewisham

Similar to Hackney, councillors in Lewisham were among the first to make clear their opposition to the tunnel’s construction, passing a motion to that effect in 2015.

Newham

Newham Council initially backed the scheme, though passed a motion affirming its opposition in February 2022.

In October in the same year, councillors voted to call on Mr Khan to repurpose the tunnel, with public transport and cycling to be prioritised.

Southwark

In 2015, Southwark Council was another which opposed Transport for London’s (TfL) proposal for the tunnel.

In its consultation response, the council laid out several suggestions to try to mitigate its impacts, including expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), and carrying out more rigorous traffic impact assessments of the Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge.