PRESS RELEASE 11 MARCH 2006

At a Full Council meeting held on 22 February 2006, Bexley Council Members voted without dissent to pass the following motion:

“This Council whole-heartedly rejects any suggestion that a local congestion charge and reduced toll discount area is an appropriate response to concerns about the Thames Gateway Bridge. This Council demands that the Mayor of London and Transport for London take seriously the potentially damaging effects of the Thames Gateway Bridge on the people of Bexley.”

A letter dated 7 March 2006, submitted as Inquiry document TfL/262, was sent to the Mayor, Ken Livingstone stating the above Council resolution.

Mr Hawkins, Bexley Council’s traffic officer, gave supplementary evidence at the Thames Gateway Bridge (TGB) Inquiry last week saying, “the whole Council said it did not want the new discount area in Bexley; they thought it undermined their whole case for supporting the bridge.” (Day 68, page 33, lines 21-24)

Mr Smith, TfL’s Traffic expert, says, “TfL has no intention to change the boundary in the next six months.” (Day 60, page 193, lines 22-23) The existing boundary, with the possibility of minor refinements in Belvedere and Erith “is the most likely to occur on opening, unless we see very much lower traffic growth between now and 2012.” (Day 60, page 193, lines 18-20)

When discussing the differences in the road network north and south of the river, Mr Hawkins said “All you are doing is you are trying to make Brampton Road become the South Circular….Effectively you are trying to produce an orbital movement….” (Day 68, page 71, lines 23-26 & page 72, lines 2-8)

When discussing a potential planning condition to limit the amount of traffic that may use the bridge (INQ/23) Mr Hawkins said, “It does make you wonder whether the original scheme is right if you are having to come up with measures to try and be so Draconian that they affect …the main reason for the bridge, which is regeneration. You are starting to affect those adversely. Just so you can get a traffic solution to make a bridge that…it makes it look like it is in the wrong place.” (Day 68, page 73, lines 18-25)

Jacqui Wise of Action Group Against the Bridge (AGAB) says, “At long last Bexley Council are beginning to acknowledge the detrimental effect the proposed TGB will have on Bexley residents. How can Bexley Council even contemplate continuing to support this proposal? Bexley Council should now withdraw their support entirely and send a clear message to TfL and the Mayor, Ken Livingstone that this proposal should be scrapped.”

Jacqui & Steve Wise

Action Group Against the Bridge (AGAB) Contact 020 8301 4243

Terry Grant

St. Michael’s Residents’ Association (SMRA) Contact 020 8298 1105