The Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority (PTA)'s refusal to take part in an important debate over the proposed second Tyne road tunnel is an admission that its project does not stand up to public scrutiny, says a local transport campaign group.

The Tyne Crossings Alliance, which is opposing the construction of the proposed tunnel, says that the PTA has been invited to the event which will allow the project to be discussed in public. The PTA declined the offer.

Alliance spokesperson Brian Paget said:
"The project has little support from the local community, so the PTA may be reluctant to acknowledge the strength of feeling of the people who will suffer most if this project goes ahead.

"It's clear that the PTA promise that it will consult the local community is just a smokescreen. The PTA has spent millions of pounds of public money trying to sell this project, but cannot face the simple task of presenting it's case to the public in the cold light of day".

The meeting will be held on Wednesday 5th February at the Jarrow Community Centre, doors open at 7.45 pm. Alliance members will explain why they will oppose the plan at the Public Inquiry and a discussion will follow.

Notes to Editors

1. The 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:www.tyne-crossings.org/