A multibillion-pound road tunnel under the River Thames, the Silvertown Tunnel, is set to open amid significant opposition from campaigners who argue it is outdated and will exacerbate traffic and air pollution. While London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL) claim it will improve cross-river transport and air quality, critics, including local residents and climate experts, contend it promotes fossil fuel use and neglects greener transport solutions. Advocacy groups, like the Stop the Silvertown Tunnel Coalition, call for the tunnel to be repurposed for public transport and cycling to better address 21st-century transportation challenges.
