On London Extra: Silvertown calculations

Could the forthcoming new Thames crossing be a win-win? Plus vaccine hesitancy, bus speeds and my emails from Nigel Farage

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It has long been common for the word "controversial" to be used in connection with the Silvertown Tunnel, which we learned this week will open on 7 April. But how controversial and with whom?

Looked at one way, the opening of a new Thames crossing in the east of the city is a cause for mass rejoicing. After all, London has been trying and failing to get round to building one for ages.

London's first Mayor, Ken Livingstone, backed a long-gestating road bridge scheme, which would have connected Thamesmead south of the river and Beckton to its north. But the Thames Gateway Bridge plan was dumped by Boris Johnson in 2008 as one of his TfL efficiencies (along with a tram to run along Oxford Street).