WIREDGOV

A public consultation on plans for a new river crossing linking Greenwich Peninsula with the Royal Docks opened yesterday. 

TfL hopes the proposed Silvertown Tunnel link will take pressure off the heavily-used Blackwall Tunnel as well as support new jobs and homes planned for the area.

With the population of London setto rise to 10million by 2030, and with much of this growth due to take place in East London, demand for crossing the river will increase.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'The Silvertown Tunnel would provide a vital new link beneath the Thames between two of our city's great opportunity areas - Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks - earmarked for new homes and jobs.

'It has quite rightly been classified by the Government as a project of national significance and today we're a step closer in making our vision a reality.'

If approved, work on the crossingcould start in 2017 and take four years to complete at an estimated cost of around £750m.

In parallel with the SilvertownTunnel project, TfL is also lookingat plans for other new East London river crossings at Gallions Reach and Belvedere. A consultation on these projects is expected next year and, subject to funding and approval, both crossings could be open by 2025.

The consultation will run until 19 December 2014. For more information, visit tfl.gov.uk/silvertown-tunnel