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TfL begins contractor hunt for controversial £1bn Silvertown Tunnel

Work is set to begin in earnest on the £1bn Silvertown Tunnel project after Transport for London (TfL) opened up the procurement contract for the controversial development.

The work, which will involve the construction of a road tunnel connecting Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Dock, is set to begin in 2018/19 with a planned completion date sometime in 2022/23.

Sitting east of the current Blackwall Tunnel, TfL are rumoured to be looking for at least three bidders for the tunnel project which will be delivered as a design, build, finance and maintenance contract.

However, the planned tunnel has drawn ire from some quarters with accusations that the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has reneged on environmental promises made in his election manifesto.

Local residents and environmental campaigners have said that the tunnel will increase congestion and pollution in the area, while Lewisham and Hackney councils have both registered their opposition to the scheme.

Commenting on the initial announcement last week, campaigner and No to Silvertown Tunnel Chair Anne Robbins, said that the new tunnel would make the area a ‘dumping ground’ for the south of England’s congestion and pollution.

She said: “For Sadiq Khan to call this a ‘greener Silvertown Tunnel’ hides the fact that Greenwich and the Royal Docks would be a dumping ground for the south of England’s congestion and pollution.

“He talks a good game when it comes to pollution and congestion in central London, but communities in east and south east London clearly don’t seem to matter as much. They will be living with even worse traffic and poorer air.”

Attempting to head off environmental opposition, Khan greenlit the Silvertown project along with two further pedestrian and cycling tunnels, and an extension of the DLR.

Khan said: “It’s no secret that London has long needed more river crossings in the east. With new homes and economic growth across East London, it becomes even more important that we deliver new greener transport links that allow Londoners to cross the river quickly and more easily.

“But we don’t want these to have a damaging impact on our environment, and that’s why I’ve reviewed and improved plans for Silvertown Tunnel and why I’m pushing forward with crossings that encourage public transport, walking and cycling.

“As we continue to unlock the massive economic potential of East London, we must secure the very best transport infrastructure that improves the quality of life for everyone living and working in the area.”

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