‘Sadiq Khan had the power to stop the tunnel when he took over in 2016 and he still has the power to stop it now,’ says Sian Berry
Around 600 people took part in the Stop the Silvertown Tunnel protest march on Saturday 5 June, making their voices heard on a controversial project which will further raise already illegal levels of air pollution in Newham.
The march began near Canning Town DLR station and went for two miles through Newham, before ending at the Crystal building at the Royal Docks. The building will soon be the new headquarters of the Greater London Authority (GLA), which is responsible for the Silvertown Tunnel project.
“Sadiq Khan had the power to stop the Silvertown Tunnel when he took over in 2016 and he still has the power to stop it now,” said Sian Berry, Green Party Assembly Member and co-leader of The Green Party. “Too many people are dying in London from air pollution. This is going to make it worse. We think it can be stopped and all power to all of you in carrying on the fight.”
Too many people are dying in London from air pollution. This is going to make it worse.
Siân Berry
Extinction Rebellion’s samba band led the way on Saturday, drumming their way along the entire route and making sure the march could not possibly go unnoticed. Especially when combined with all the anti-Silvertown Tunnel banners and placards being waved.
“The Silvertown Tunnel is a climate crime,” added Victoria Rance, Stop the Silvertown Coalition. “London Assembly members must act now to provide proper scrutiny over the decision to build this monstrous project with its lanes for juggernauts. In the year of the COP climate negotiations, the London Mayor would be showing strength, not weakness, in cancelling this tunnel now.”
When the march ended at the Crystal building, it was the first to be held outside of the yet-to-be-occupied GLA building.
Check out some of the photos from the march below, taken by Greenwich and Bexley Green Party member Karin Tearle.
