Alison Barnett
Director of Public Health
Bexley Care Trust
13th April 2005
Dear Alison Barnett
c/o Mary Stoneham
PROPOSED THAMES GATEWAY BRIDGE
Thank you for your reply although I do not feel you have adequately
answered my questions. I feel that a personal letter from you would have
been more appropriate as I believe Mary Stoneham was replying to my request
for information under the FOI Act.
You state that you have not produced any documentation relating to Bexley
Care Trust's (BCT) views on the Health Effects of the proposed Thames
Gateway Bridge (TGB). Do you not feel this is totally unacceptable
considering the impact this proposed scheme will have on Bexley residents
and the fact that John Austin MP as well as a number of Bexley Councillors,
including those on Lesnes Abbey & Thamesmead East Wards, has raised health
concerns since 2002? I certainly do.
I have been sent a copy of Kathy Balcombe's reply to Mr. Scott dated 8th
February 2005 under the Freedom of Information Act. In this letter it
appears that the view of the Bexley Care Trust is that 'the overall impact
of the proposed Thames Gateway Bridge on the health of people in the area
would appear to be very positive given the contribution the development will
make to regeneration and employment as well as opportunities for physical
activities.'
Can you clarify how the Bexley Care Trust reached this decision or
viewpoint?
Have discussions and meetings taken place that have not been documented
(as I have had no other letters/documents/minutes released to me under my
Freedom of Information request) or is the Bexley Care Trust simply echoing
the views of Dr Holt (Greenwich PCT) without serious consideration to the
situation of Bexley residents who the Bexley Care Trust have responsibility
for?
My husband (Mr. Steve Wise) wrote to Dr Holt in November 2004 and
received a reply dated 21st January 2005 that I have today noticed was also
copied to you (Dr Alison Barnett).
Dr Holt's letter clearly states that for his submission to Greenwich
Council, reports were chosen if they were 'evidence based and if they
included data or data models that had been localised in the Greenwich
geographical area within the TGB project. This would assist in judging the
likely effects on health in Greenwich.' Dr Holt's letter later continues 'My
report concentrated on the potential health effects to the residents of
Greenwich as this is the main focus of this PCT. I had assumed others in
Bexley, including Bexley Council would be commenting on the potential
effects of development with respect to their residents.'
How very wrong his assumptions were.
It is clearly obvious that the Bexley Care Trust should be considering
the likely effects on health to Bexley residents, in the Bexley geographical
area within the TGB project, independently from Greenwich PCT. This has been
further reinforced by Bexley Council who announced that they were now
'objectors' to the scheme at the TGB pre-inquiry meeting on 7th April 2005.
Kathy Balcombe's reply to Mr. Scott states 'I am also aware that
Transport for London have agreed to work with Bexley Council on the
development of mitigation measures, and are committed to full monitoring and
joint working on their implementation.'
One of the main reasons for Bexley Council objecting is that they
recognise the need for further traffic modelling, which has not been done by
Transport for London (TfL) and is not planned prior to the Inquiry. It is
evident that the true detrimental impact of traffic on Bexley Borough has
not been modelled adequately by TfL and this will, I believe, impact
adversely on traffic flow forecasts, noise pollution, air pollution, road
casualty figures including fatalities and the natural environment.
Mr. Holt states in his letter that he has based his submission to
Greenwich on 'evidence'. In answer to my question at the BCT Board Meeting
on 8th March 2005 you said that your representation at the Inquiry would be
based on facts/evidence. Therefore let me quote you some facts/evidence from
TfL's & Bexley Council's own documents & also enclose my Statement of Case
which will be expanded on in my 'proof of evidence' at the Public Inquiry in
June (or later if we are successful in getting a postponement): -
TfL's Traffic & Transport Report 2004 (Table 4.14) shows an increase of
116 road casualties per year (on current traffic flow forecasts) as a direct
result of the bridge being built. This includes one fatality & 6 serious
casualties. If traffic flow figures have been under-estimated these
casualties will increase.
Bexley Council state in a letter to TfL that 'There are particular health
issues in Bexley that can be exacerbated by traffic fumes such as asthma
where the levels in children are amongst the highest in the country.'
Again quoted from a Bexley Council letter to TfL 'In Bexley, routes from
and to the bridge will involve extensive use of residential streets that are
not designed for large traffic flows.'
Bexley Council's planning Agenda (November 2004) states 'It is believed
that there is a need for TfL to reassess traffic over a more comprehensive
network in Bexley....to consider the impact of local and other traffic
diverted from the two main routes, which has not been considered in the
Environmental Assessment.'
I believe I am correct in saying that TfL have never commissioned a
comprehensive Health Impact Assessment with regards to the proposed TGB but
that a report was collated from the Environmental Statement (Note of Health
Effects). These concerns have again been documented in a letter from Bexley
Council to TfL.
I also raised other 'factual' points in my letter presented to the BCT
Board on 8th March 2005 that you have a copy of.
Kathy Balcombe's reply to Mr. Scott ends 'If you would like to discuss
this matter further I would suggest you contact Dr Holt or Peter Gluckman
from SE London Strategic Health Authority.'
However I end my letter to you by saying that Mr Holt's response, to my
husband’s letter in November 2004, clearly places the ball in your court
with regard to your responsibility to Bexley residents. I therefore
respectfully request that you take this responsibility seriously.
Please acknowledge receipt of this e-mail & confirm that it has been
forwarded and acknowledged as being received by Alison Barnett, Director of
Public Health for Bexley.
Regards
Mrs Jacqui Wise
42 BERKELEY AVENUE
BEXLEYHEATH
KENT
DA7 4UA
TEL: 020 8301 4243
