Poor start for cross-river connections

By Jon Massey on January 20, 2010 2:17 PM |

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By John Biggs

Albert Einstein said that he enjoyed travelling more than arriving. For people working or living in east London the opposite is often true.

Things do get better - longer DLR trains on the way for example - but often not.

For cross-river connections the year has not started too well.

TfL announced that the Rotherhithe Tunnel would be closed Sunday to Thursday nights for refurbishment works, and we are now about to start at least two years work on the Blackwall Tunnel.

At Rotherhithe, when the works had barely begun they had to close the tunnel completely when roof tiles started to fall down.

My colleagues and I had already questioned the Mayor about tunnel safety, and I have asked whether the falling tiles were a result of TfL's refurbishment works.

Last week I met with TfL and discussed the Blackwall Tunnel - both the planned works and unplanned closures, such as the fire before Christmas.

A few days later came the announcement of the refurbishment works to the northbound tunnel, beginning on February 7 and continuing until December 2012, with a pause during the Olympics. The tunnel will be closed Sunday to Thursday nights from 9pm to 5am.

All these tunnel closures and associated disruption, inconvenience, and safety concerns lead us to one very clear conclusion: we need another river crossing. Come on Boris, make it your resolution for 2010.

- John Biggs is London Assembly Member, City and East