PROPOSED THAMES GATEWAY BRIDGE “NOT AT ANY EXPENSE” PRESS RELEASE 30 JULY 2005 ACTION GROUP AGAINST THE BRIDGE (AGAB) ST.MICHAEL’S RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (SMRA) The Barrister for Bexley Council said in his opening statement (1) “Everything depends on the reliability of the forecasts…Bexley does not have confidence that the forecasts are sufficiently reliable..” Mr Wang, Bexley’s independent traffic consultant, described TfL’s traffic model as “unreliable and not really up to the job”(2). He said the “broad brush approach” that TfL had taken was not appropriate for a £0.5 billion scheme (3). Bexley Council submitted a document to the Inquiry (4) showing significant inconsistencies between TfL’s modelled traffic flows for 2001 compared to present day traffic. In his opening statement, Bexley’s Barrister said, “It is absurd for TfL to continue to rely on a TGX model whose base year is so at odds, for what ever reason, with reality”. In Bexley’s document, traffic using the A2041, Knee Hill (Southbound) for example is 81% higher than TfL’s figures for 2001. Brampton Road (Northbound between Palmeira Rd and King Harold’s Way) is 297% higher. Harrow Manorway (Yarnton Way-Abbey Road Northbound and Southbound) is between 206-299% higher. Picardy Manorway (Yarnton Way-Anderson Way Eastbound and Westbound) is between 44-81% higher. Bexley Council turned down Mayor Ken Livingstone’s offer of an additional £3.1 million for mitigation measures saying that they could not “accept a proposal that includes a cap”(5). All this is a backdrop to the suggestion by Ken Livingstone that Bexley Council should consider a Bexley Congestion Charging Scheme (6). Jacqui Wise of Action Group Against the Bridge said: “Based on Bexley’s new present day traffic figures, any decision by the Secretary of State should be deferred until TfL are able to provide a reliable up-to-date traffic model. It would be appalling if Bexley Council were to accept increased funding without knowing the true impact this proposed bridge would have on Bexley.” Bexley Council should prove to residents that their words “not at any expense”(7) are not hollow. JACQUI WISE & STEVE WISE Action Group Against the Bridge TEL:020 8301 4243, MOBILE 07748 132161 TERRY GRANT St.Michael’s Residents’ Association TEL:020 8298 1105, MOBILE 0780 1265713 (1) Mr Humphreys. Day 20, pages 26-51. (2) Day 23, page 134, lines 11-12. (3) Day 23, page 25, lines 19-20. (4) Document reference 1774/13. Comparison of Modelled Flows (2001 Peak) with Survey Data. (5) Inquiry Document 1774/14. Reply from LB Bexley to Mayor Ken Livingstone dated 19 July 2005. (6) Inquiry Document TfL/112. Letter from Mayor Ken Livingstone to LB Bexley dated 18 July 2005. (7) Day 23, page 63, line 24.