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LONDON Mayor Ken Livingstone has refused to intervene to help save a stretch of Thames-side grazing marsh from developers.

His decision not to block plans to build on nearly 69 acres of Erith Marshes has been condemned by Green Party members of the London Assembly.

Bexley Council approved proposals from Tilfen Land to create the new East Thamesmead Business Park on the site off Waldrist Way, Thamesmead, in December.

Mr Livingstone asked to see the plans and there were hopes he might stop at least part of the development going ahead.

Green Party member Noel Lynch said Mr Livingstone's decision not to intervene was disastrous for London's environment and quality of life.

He said: “It is completely wrong to locate a massive business park on an area of rare grazing marsh, which is a national priority for protection.”
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Mr Lynch says there are other brownfield sites in the area where the business park could be built and the Greens would be stepping up the campaign to save the marshes.

He also says they would ask the Mayor to set up a meeting with Tilfen Land, the council and environmental groups to find an alternative site.

“Development on Erith Marshes would be a tragedy,” he added.

“This is a wrong decision. I will do all I can to get it reversed, even at this late stage.”

Campaigners were not surprised by the Mayor's decision.

Tim Chapman, of Watersmeet Way, Thamesmead, said: “He was not likely to go against Bexley Council. He had an opportunity to do the right thing but he failed.”

Mr Chapman said the fight was continuing to stop phases two and three of the proposed development going ahead.

He added: “We would expect Mr Livingstone to back us when the time is right.”

Stand in the places where he moved, and you can conjure up the spirit of the writer's life.

NEWS the Government has agreed £200 million in cash credits for a new bridge over the Thames has received a mixed reception.

Many in Bexley welcomed the news provided it is coupled with local road improvements. But people in Thamesmead and environmental groups are not so happy.

The proposed £450 million six-lane bridge would span the river between Beckton and Thamesmead. It will be funded by tolls, Transport for London (TfL) and up to £200 million of Government Private Finance Initiative credits, and built and run by a private company.

The plans, which still have to face a public inquiry, include two lanes each way for cars and commercial vehicles and separate lanes for cyclists, pedestrians and public transport.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who backs the bridge proposals, claims it will create 25,000 new local jobs and put another 600,000 within easy reach of Bexley residents.

Bexley Council's cabinet member for transport, Councillor Daniel Francis, said: “We welcome the jobs and prosperity the new bridge will offer.
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“But I don't believe it will be successful unless a number of other traffic issues are resolved.”

He said the dualling of Thames Road, Crayford, was vital. Also important were the planned bridge at Silvertown, the building of Crossrail and the extension of the DLR to Woolwich.

Cllr Francis added: “We have to have the right measures in place to make sure local people don't suffer.”

Bexley's Thamesmead councillors oppose the bridge. One of them, councillor Donna Briant, said: “We have to get the issues of added pollution and increased traffic added to the agenda.

“The health of Thamesmead people is already under stress with a higher-than-average incidence of respiratory problems. We will be making representations at the public inquiry.”

Wembley, Wimbledon and a new stadium in east London form the basis of Britain's bid to host the 2012 Olympics.