Press Releases

Press Release: make candidates take the tunnel test

If any of the local candidates in the forthcoming election were serious about tackling the transport and environmental problems facing the North-East, then they would call for the proposed second Tyne road tunnel project to be scrapped, says a local transport campaign group.

Tyne Crossings Alliance, which is campaigning against the construction of the second road tunnel, claims that if the tunnel project went ahead the inevitable increase in traffic using the tunnel would bring with it an increase in negative environmental effects.

Brian Paget, Tyne Crossings Alliance spokesperson said:

"The Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority's (TWPTA) second tunnel project would damage the health, the environment, and the social fabric of the communities which would be directly affected by the increase in traffic which the TWPTA has admitted will hit the region's roads.

"However, many people don't want another expensive road tunnel, but want cheap and reliable public transport alternatives.

"If the electoral candidates are serious about the environment, they would listen to the voters and call for a halt to the tunnel project, and instead demand efficient affordable cross river public transport.

"Local voters should require the candidates to pass the tunnel test – fail the candidates who support the second tunnel and the local and environmental disaster that represents, or pass them if they support a sustainable public transport alternative.”

Contact

info@tyne-crossings.org

Notes

1. 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.

2. 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/

3. Under NEXUS’ project Orpheus a Metro rail extension between South Shields and North Shields was proposed. This proposal to cross the Tyne by public transport has been now dropped.

Ends