London’s newly opened Silvertown Tunnel was the scene of a “mass trespass” on the evening of Friday 25 April as hundreds of cyclists rode through the tunnel in protest at the £2bn route’s lack of cycling infrastructure. Riders must take their bikes on a special bus service in order to traverse the tunnel.
The tunnel was reportedly closed for around an hour after cyclists taking part in Critical Mass London’s monthly ride cycled through it, the ride being part of the wider global movement of Critical Mass events reclaiming the streets from motor traffic and highlighting the need for safe active travel routes, says Road.cc.
On Friday the Silvertown Tunnel was singled out for its lack of access or safe alternative for cyclists, the £2bn project having recently been completed and bicycle riders told they must either cross the river via a lengthy detour or catch a free shuttle bus that has been laid on at a further expense of £2m.
The idea that cyclists must, rather than be provided a suitable direct route to ride between Greenwich south of the river and Newham to the north, catch a bus before resuming their journeys on the other side was already branded “ridiculous” by campaigners when the plans were announced.
n this case, Silvertown Tunnel was singled out for its lack of access or safe alternative for cyclists, the £2bn project having recently been completed and bicycle riders told they must either cross the river via a lengthy detour or catch a free shuttle bus that has been put on at a further expense of £2m, although the journey will be free for “at least a year”.
The idea that cyclists must, rather than be provided a suitable direct route to ride between Greenwich south of the river and Newham to the north, catch a bus before resuming their cycled journeys on the other side was already branded “ridiculous” by campaigners when the plans were announced.
“Repurposing the tunnel would be so much better. Or building the cycle bridge,” argued the Greenwich branch of the London Cycling Campaign. “All Silvertown will bring is more pollution and more congestion. It is incompatible with a responsible climate policy in its current form.”
Commenting on the “mass trespass”, a Transport for London spokesperson said: “Cycling is not allowed in the Blackwall or Silvertown Tunnel for safety reasons. A cycle shuttle service operates through the Silvertown Tunnel and offers a safe connection for cyclists through the tunnel between Silvertown and North Greenwich. During this incident, we had to close the tunnel to all traffic until it was safe to reopen again, impacting drivers and bus passengers who would use the tunnel.”
(Pic: Critical Mass London)
