Join No to Silvertown Tunnel at Lewisham People’s Day this Saturday

Last year's Lewisham People's Day in Mountsfield Park

Last year’s Lewisham People’s Day in Mountsfield Park

We’re pleased to announce we’ll be at south-east London’s biggest community festival on Saturday 9 July – so come and say hello to us at Lewisham People’s Day.

The Silvertown Tunnel is as much a threat to Lewisham as it is to Greenwich, Newham or Tower Hamlets – generating more traffic and increasing congestion and pollution on roads such as the South Circular through Catford, the A20 at Lewisham and the A2 through New Cross.

Lewisham Council recognises this and last year, councillors passed a motion opposing the Silvertown Tunnel. They also have serious reservations about the way TfL has gone about proposing it.

We’re grateful for their support, and we’re looking forward to joining all kinds of community groups at Lewisham People’s Day.

There’s live music from Misty in Roots, Trev & Simon and Yasmin Kadi; breathtaking views of London from the Big Wheel; chances to learn aerial skills with Upswing; BMX displays; and more fun for all the family.

Lewisham People’s Day runs from 12 noon to 8pm at Mountsfield Park, Catford SE6 1AN – it’s just off the South Circular, and a short walk from Rushey Green. Nearest stations are Hither Green, Catford and Catford Bridge.

Silvertown Tunnel: what’s happening now?

As you may already know, the planning application for the Silvertown Tunnel was submitted at the beginning of May, and has been given permission to proceed by the Planning Inspectorate, which is dealing with the issue. This doesn’t mean the tunnel has been given the green light – it just means the application’s seen as valid.

At the same time, Mayor Sadiq Khan says he is “reviewing” the project – but he has not said what the review consists of and how it’s being reviewed. So far, he has refused to withdraw the Silvertown Tunnel from the planning process, despite growing concerns about the scheme.

Because of this, we’re expecting the Planning Inspectorate to start accepting public comments on the Silvertown Tunnel proposal in a week or so. We’ll update you again when this happens to let you know what you need to do next to oppose the tunnel.

What else can I do?

Sadiq Khan is asking for views on how to combat air pollution. We think he should expand the planned ultra-low emissions zone to cover the existing London-wide Low Emission Zone (LEZ), rather than just the North and South Circular (questions 4 and 5). You may want to use question 18 to tell him to cancel the Silvertown Tunnel. Fill in the survey here.

Please sign our petition asking Sadiq Khan to suspend the Silvertown Tunnel planning process: www.toxictunnel.co.uk

Sign up for alerts from the Planning Inspectorate on the Silvertown Tunnel: Find out how.