11th May 2004.

Dear

Propaganda in place of "Education in Citizenship" in local schools

Comment on behalf of Tyne Crossings Alliance

I am writing to express our grave concern about what we believe to be an abuse of the Internet to indoctrinate children with the belief that a new road tunnel under the River Tyne has become a necessity. No doubt you are aware that the Education and Business Partnerships (EBPs) have sent all your schools details of the "xingthetyne" Website and 'datapacks' to accompany the material available on the Website. These documents give a one-sided picture of the situation and comprise the exact reverse of what we believe lessons in "Citizenship" should consist, namely, an exercise in reaching an informed opinion based on access to a balanced and relevant selection of the facts.

We have corresponded with the EBPs and they acknowledge a problem. Unfortunately, so far, they have not offered to revise the material currently available and this nullifies any constructive contribution the "xingthetyne" Website might make to the current debate which is leading to a decision by the Government on this issue. Conversely, and in a sinister manner, the material becomes propaganda for the proponents of the development. Some examples of bias in the Website are as follows:

1. The EBPs state that 'It is our policy not to work with companies that might wish to use the opportunity to promote their own product or viewpoint' and yet they appear to have worked exclusively with TWPTA which is the promoter of the proposed new road tunnel!
2. The information presumes that the only problem of importance is delays to car travellers, and the only realistic solution is to increase road capacity across the River. At no point can we find reference to the need to reduce traffic and car dependence; to the fact that some 40% of families in the area do not own a car; or to the fact that most families that do own a car do not have access to it whilst, for instance, it is parked at a place of work. We submit that the proposed tunnel would make life worse for these people and for many others.
3. The resources provided consider only a narrow range of perspectives all promoting the arguments for building a road tunnel. Balance must include considering the scope for reducing the need for travel, and for crossing the river by means other than by car. Such means would including ferries and (for instance) an extension of the Metro under the River from South Shields to North Shields.
4. It is offensive to offer as a response to the question: "How would you react if your house was [sic] under threat?" the suggestion that: "Perhaps the good citizen should be able to see beyond their [sic] own self interest". Evidently the writers' houses are not under threat, and equally evidently they are unaware of the equal or greater rights of those who aren't car users to the enjoyment of local amenities including their own homes.
5. Using the disguise of 'Enquiry' the child or student is asked misleading questions such as: "Where should the new tunnel be sited?". The necessary and prior question is whether there are not much better solutions to local transport problems than a new road tunnel. An informed discussion of such options would indeed make an interesting and valuable

   educational study. But that exercise requires the alternative evidence to be made available to the children!

We are therefore asking that you draw the attention of your teaching staff to the need for balance and objectivity when considering these issues. We would also urge that you review the educational intent of the xingthetyne Website with the EBP management.

Because a decision on the proposed tunnel is imminent we are making this letter available to the Press. Our purpose in publicising the content is to convey to parents and others (and the Minister) what we believe to be a misuse of public and commercial resources for propaganda, under the false guise of 'educational material'

Yours sincerely,

Paul Winch, Co-ordinator, Tyne Crossings Alliance.

To: The Directors of Education for Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

NOTES:

1. For further information on the campaign to stop the second Tyne road tunnel see the Tyne Crossings Alliance Website: www.tyne-crossings.org.

2. 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, and Tynebikes.