London transport chiefs stress bridge's gains

by Joey Gardiner, Regeneration & Renewal 17-Jun-05, 11:47

London transport bosses this week defended their claims over the regeneration benefits of the controversial proposed Thames Gateway Bridge between Beckton and Thamesmead in east London.

The defence comes after angry scenes between protesters and security staff at the start of the public inquiry into the bridge last week at Charlton Football Club, which caused the opening day to be abandoned.

During this week's hearings, the capital's transport authority Transport for London said in evidence that between 34,600 and 53,300 jobs could be created by building the £455 million bridge.

Opponents say the bridge will not significantly aid regeneration and will merely add to pollution and traffic congestion.

Under cross-examination Professor Bridget Rosewell, consultant chief economist for the Greater London Authority, speaking on behalf of TfL, admitted that improved accessibility - caused by the bridge - did not guarantee extra jobs: "You can have greater accessibility without regeneration benefits," she said.

But Jenny Bates, London campaigns coordinator for Friends of the Earth, which opposes the bridge, told Regeneration & Renewal: "(Rosewell's) evidence showed clearly that Newham already has good accessibility. If you really want to help Newham, then don't spend half a billion pounds on a new road when 49 per cent of people don't even own a car."