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Clock Starts Ticking An application to build a second Tyne road tunnel will be submitted today to the Secretary for Transport for a decision on whether to call a Public Inquiry. This will be an early test of whether Alistair Darling is serious about sustainable solutions to Britain's transport problems. Local ex-Transport Minister and South Tyneside MP Stephen Byers will be asked to add his name to the growing weight of opposition to this hugely expensive and ill-conceived project. The proposed new tunnel which would double up on the existing road tunnel is being sponsored by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (PTA), which has responsibility for public transport and related infrastructure in Tyne and Wear. The project is budgeted as a £138 private finance initiative but this sum excludes large additional public liabilities for local road improvements should the tunnel be built. For instance extra traffic generated by the tunnel would place the visually stunning and secluded Pelaw to Hebburn Riversde Park at risk from a new road which is already under discussion between the two adjoining boroughs of Gateshead and South Tyneside. If the project were to proceed, a consortium of private sector investors would be appointed to build a new tunnel and take responsibility for the operation of the other public Tyne tunnels already in use. The consortium would set tolls subject to agreement by the PTA. Tyne Crossings Alliance spokesperson Brian Paget said: "Local people now have a window of opportunity to register their concerns. But it will remain open only for 42 days". Letters of objection have to be sent to the Transport Secretary, care of the Transport & Works section of the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions. New incumbent Alistair Darling will then have to make a decision within four weeks about whether to call a Public Inquiry. Brian Paget continued: "The Tyne Tunnel is not needed! We could improve existing river crossings while working hard to reduce the need to travel. A new tunnel would immediately further clog up local roads and would only provide short term relief to the congestion in cross-river traffic. We must tackle the real issue of reducing congestion which is to encourage other ways to travel (such as walking and cycling, especially to school), improving public transport, and encouraging and facilitating work, education, health and leisure activities to be located near to people's homes or to public transport routes".
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