New evidence has come to light that should warrant a re-opening of the Thames Gateway Bridge (TGB) Inquiry.

Just two days after the Inquiry finished an Interim Crossrail Report commissioned by Greenwich Council was published that mentions ‘widening of Knee Hill’. Transport for London (TfL) is currently carrying out a feasibility study into congestion charging in Greenwich and this follows their recent proposals to increase toll charges at the Dartford Crossing.

Does anyone believe that TfL knew nothing about these schemes yet failed to bring to the attention of the Inspector some of the most important items to affect the Inquiry’s investigation?

It is imperative that TfL re-model their traffic figures since evidence presented to the TGB Inquiry assumed there would be no toll or congestion charge at Blackwall Tunnel, no increase in tolls at the Dartford Crossing and no widening of Knee Hill.

Other evidence includes the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, the decision to build the Belvedere Incinerator, the whole of Bexley being made an Air Quality Management Area and new reports on the detrimental affects of pollution from vehicles.

The sensible way forward would be for some joined up thinking. It is inconceivable that all these projects either existing, planned or being considered, should go ahead independently and separately without being looked at as a whole.

The Inquiry should be re-opened enabling the Inspector to write an accurate report based on all the evidence. To make a decision without doing so would be tantamount to ignoring evidence, which is of “material importance”.

Please write to the TGB Case Officer at the following address calling for the re-opening of the Inquiry: -

Mr P.Gregory

Planning Central Caseworks Division

Zone 3/J/1

Eland House

Bressenden Place

London SW1E 5DU

Jacqui & Steve Wise

Action Group Against the Bridge (AGAB)

Terry Grant

St. Michael’s Residents’ Association (SMRA)

Website: www.pvr.co.uk