Consultant report urged TfL not to scrap tidal flow, says drivers' lobby

13 July 2007

A NATIONAL motoring lobby organisation has accused London's transport bosses of failing to disclose damning information which could prove the controversial move to scrap the Blackwall Tunnel rush-hour tidal flow was wrong.

The Association of British Drivers claims consultants advised Transport for London a year ago that scrapping the contra-flow was a bad idea.

But City Hall ignored the advice and went ahead removing it, which has led to 'motoring misery' for tens-of-thousands of drivers each day, the association maintains.

Critics believe it was a 'ploy' to create congestion around the southern approach to 'justify' bringing in a toll charge.

The organisation, which represents the interests of UK private motoring, is now calling for Transport for London to be made more publicly accountable and to "pay more attention to the principles of legislation" on open Government.

"They seem to specialize in giving you a bureaucratic run around," said its London coordinator Roger Lawson.

"The law requires public bodies to provide information promptly and within 20 working days, in all circumstances."

Transport bosses have also come under fire from elected members of the London Assembly over the report by consultants Mott MacDonald which was drawn up over road accidents in the twin tunnel.

Opposition group member and Tory MP Bob Neill said: "Transport for London's own advice told them that suspending the tidal flow was not the answer.

"The accident rates were no higher than on similar roads, which proves its decision was a gross over-reaction.

"Transport for London was well aware the Blackwall Tunnel could have been made safer using other measures.

"Their wilful rejection of expert advice has condemned motorists to even more misery and travel chaos."

Assembly members called for information under the Freedom of Information Act.

What they received was data showing accidents were minimal and probably better than most roads. No mention was made of the Mott MacDonald report.

They also requested details of Transport for London's opinion polls over the proposed Greenwich Congestion charge. A number of surveys were carried out starting early last year... but Assembly members were told the results could not be released.

The contra-flow, which for 29 years had allowed two-way traffic in the wider southbound tunnel to keep peak-hour traffic on the move and relieve the much-older northbound tunnel, was scrapped with little warning and no public consultation.