Second Tyne Tunnel opposed.

Second Tyne Tunnel opposed.

Proposals to build a second Tyne Tunnel have been met with opposition from environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth. Protesters from the organisation have campaigned at the start of the public inquiry, citing flaws in the schemes environmental and social claims.

Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority predict that the second tunnel will relieve traffic levels in the area and provide contract jobs for the duration of the build. The second tunnel would service southbound drivers, whilst northbound drivers would use the original tunnel.

Friends of the Earth counter that the new tunnel will lead to an increase of around 60% in traffic in the area, and claim that details of the jobs provided by the proposal are sketchy.

South Tyneside Friends of the Earth campaigner Bryan Atkinson said: "The time for political spin is over and the promoters of the tunnel have now got to give us hard facts. Their case is shot through with holes and uncertainties and we'll be showing these up over the next few weeks.”