Rethink tidal flow in tunnel says Lib Dems

6.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 15th Jun 2007

At Greenwich Council's meeting on June 13th Liberal Democrat councillors urged the Council to work towards restoration of the tidal flow system through Blackwall Tunnel in the morning rush hour.

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Brian Woodcraft pointed out that tidal flow had a good safety record over its 30 years of operation. "Everyone agrees that road safety should take priority" said Brian "but like most tunnel users we suspect that Transport for London's decision to stop the tidal flow is disproportionate and that it may well be possible to improve safety with less drastic measures."

The Liberal Democrat motion was voted down by Labour councillors.

"The Labour leadership in Greenwich like to claim that they are pivotal in shaping the future of the Borough" said Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Webbewood. "However in this case they have meekly gone along with Transport for London. Their main suggestions seemed to be that people should use river boats and wait for the construction of a third tunnel at Blackwall.

"This does nothing to solve the traffic chaos caused by TfL's decision to change the tidal flow without telling anyone."