3 OCTOBER 2005

Dear Ken Livingstone

You tell us that 80 per cent of local people support the proposed Thames Gateway Bridge (TGB). You are wrong and totally out of touch with local people.

Approximately 700 residents attended TfL’s exhibition in Brampton Rd, Bexleyheath on 16 September 2004, which TfL only agreed to after some persuasion from Bexley Council. The Bexley Planning Agenda tells us that those in support of the bridge were out numbered by at least 10 to 1 by those opposed to it. This indicates that 90 per cent of local people who attended the exhibition did not support the proposed TGB in stark contrast to your figures.

Your own consultation brochure asked if people supported “a” bridge at this location. It did not ask if people supported this bridge.

Your own Consultation Report suggests that many supporters have a misconception that this bridge will relieve congestion on the Dartford Crossing, the Blackwall Tunnel and the surrounding road network. TfL figures show that there will be less than a 1-minute saving on the Dartford Crossing and a 6-minute saving at the Blackwall Tunnel based on their own, possibly under-estimated, traffic figures. TfL have stated quite categorically at the Inquiry that the TGB’s intention is not to relieve congestion.

TfL’s consultation flyer stated: “We need your views about the bridge, in particular:
if you support the idea.” Your consultation was unbalanced and misleading. Bexley did not even appear on TfL’s consultation map and the majority of Bexley residents and many residents from other Boroughs have not been adequately consulted.

Jacqui & Steve Wise
Action Group Against the Bridge (AGAB)

Terry Grant
St. Michael’s Residents’ Association (SMRA)

42 BERKELEY AVENUE
BEXLEYHEATH
KENT
DA7 4UA

TEL: 020 8301 4243

WEBSITE: www.pvr.co.uk