Press Releases

Press release: Stop the tunnel and take the first step in combating climate change

MP Alistair Darling's forthcoming announcement on whether the proposed second Tyne road tunnel should ahead must take into account the government's position on climate change, said the Tyne Crossings Alliance today.

The Tyne Crossings Alliance, which has been fighting the tunnel project since its birth, says that instead of giving the green light to more CO2 emissions by building the tunnel, an exploration of sustainable public transport alternatives needs to be started.

Alliance spokesperson Bryan Atkinson said,
"Tony Blair has put climate change on the agenda, and took his concerns to the international audience when Britain hosted the G8 meeting in Gleneagles. But he also needs to look locally for answers.

"If built, the new road tunnel would contribute to CO2 emissions during the construction phase and when completed would help fuel the expected growth in car travel. All the projected extra car journeys would bring extra CO2 emissions. In light of the climate change threat, building a new road tunnel is not a good idea.

"There are sensible alternatives - manage the need for road traffic movement across the Tyne and develop easily accessible and affordable public transport options. The implementation of these solutions would cost a fraction of the projected £200 million price tag for the tunnel, and would help in reaching the government's own targets for transferring drivers out of cars and onto public transport.

"If Tony Blair and Alistair Darling really want to lead the way in addressing climate change, then they should say a simple no to the tunnel. Otherwise, they are sending the message that it's okay to contribute to planetary suicide."

Notes

1. PM Tony Blair's comments on climate change: http://politics.guardian.co.uk/green/story/0,,1305030,00.html

2. Alistair Darling MP and road building “...we cannot simply solve congestion by building more and more roads. There isn't the space to do it, especially in urban areas. And even if there was - it would be environmentally unacceptable."
From: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents/page/dft_roads_038153.hcsp

3. Causes of climate change: 
http://www.carbontrust.org.uk/carbontrust/climate_change/iocc4_1_2.html

4. Tyne Crossings Alliance consists of: CPRE, Friends of the Earth (FOE), Living Streets, North East Railway Development Society (railfuture NE), Roadpeace, The Green Party, Transport 2000, Tynebikes.

5. For further information on the campaign to stop the second Tyne road tunnel see the Tyne Crossings Alliance website:
http://www.tyne-crossings.org/, and http://www.stopthetunnel.tk/