New Thames bridge benefits big business, not local communities

10.00.00am GMT Fri 9th Jan 2004

Company car commuters will be the real beneficiaries from a proposed new Thames bridge, not local people.

Responding to the Mayor of London's announcement that his planned Thames Gateway Bridge is to get government funding Lynne Featherstone, transport spokesperson, said:

"East London will not be helped by a six-lane motorway bridge - a second Dartford crossing.

"The real need is for a local bridge with priority for high quality public transport - preferably a tram link. The announcement by the government and the Mayor of London is all about big business and expanding the financial centres of Canary Wharf.

"Their 'big bridge' is for company car commuters from Kent and Surrey: the real needs of the working-class communities of East London and Thamesmead will not be met."

Bexley's Lib Dem Greater London Assembly Candidate, Duncan Borrowman, said: "Thamesmead residents are threatened on the one hand with having to put up with the stench and burden of the incineration of London's waste; on the other hand with Kent and Surrey's commuter traffic - meanwhile facilities provided for local people by Bexley Council are appalling. Local Thamesmead people deserve better.

"Before he was elected Ken Livingstone said the bridge 'would be built over my dead body' and that 'they would have to put me in the first block of concrete.' Two faced Ken better be looking forward to his incarceration".

ENDS

Notes for editor:

Lynne Featherstone is also Chair of the London Assembly's transport committee, which published a report into the viability of a Thames Gateway bridge in July 2003.