Press Releases

The Tyne Crossings Alliance says that it is time for John Prescott to act on his promise to reduce road traffic by calling for a Public Inquiry into the proposed second Tyne road tunnel scheme. This is essential, claims the Alliance, for the flaws in the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority's (PTA's) presentation to be investigated and exposed.

“The PTA has been planning this project since 1994, and we now see that they have been given extra time”, said Brian Paget of the Alliance. "This shows how inadequate is the PTA's justification for yet another roads proposal. A Public Inquiry should be called for immediately. The PTA's job is to produce public transport solutions - we have too much road traffic already.”

The Alliance is confident that the proposed new road tunnel would be given a hammering at a Public Inquiry since it creates new environmental problems and worsens existing ones. The scheme simply defers the only viable solution to the traffic problem that we all know is inevitable - and that is a reduction in traffic.Local residents already suffer from excessive traffic and the proposed new tunnel would create mayhem on local residential roads.

In June 2001, speaking in favour of a North East regional assembly, John Prescott said, “People want to know that they can influence the decision-making processes that affect their lives.”

Alliance spokesman Brian Paget said, “This is an opportunity for John Prescott to allow people to be part of the decision making process. He could also demonstrate his determination to improve the environment in general and reduce the spiral of traffic-induced congestion in particular.This opportunity is not in Johannesburg, ten or twenty years ahead. The opportunity is here in the UK, and it requires action now.”