MAYOR of London, Boris Johnson, has announced that he would like a new tunnel built under the Thames within the next decade.

He used a speech to London government leaders on Thursday night to confirm his support for the “Silvertown link” and said he would like to see it built within ten years.

The tunnel from Greenwich Peninsula across to the Royal Docks would have a capacity of up to 2,400 vehicles per hour in each direction. Transport for London will begin consultations on the scheme as early as next month.

The mayor also confirmed his support for a new ferry service between Beckton and Gallions Reach and said he’d like to see it delivered by 2017.

The crossing at Silvertown and the Gallion’s Reach ferry both featured in a TFL document published in 2009 that put forward plans for future river crossings.

The Mayor of London said: “When I look at London I see a city of incredible potential and tonight I will make the case for a huge new phase of investment in the capital, including a major new river crossing east of Tower Bridge.

“We are in the right time zone, speak the right language and have the young, skilled population to continue to attract investment from the world’s greatest businesses. This is not a time for London to falter it is a time for London to flourish.”

Shortly after coming to office, Johnson scrapped plans for the Thames Gateway Bridge.

Nick Raynsford: Plans are “Too little, too late”

Greenwich and Woolwich MP, Nick Raynsford, says the Silvertown link is “very welcome” but has attacked the mayor’s “deathbed repentance” on river crossings. He commented:

“Just months before an election, Boris Johnson has effectively admitted the catastrophic error he made in 2008 by cancelling the Thames Gateway Bridge Scheme. His deathbed repentance on the need for new river crossings is too little and too late.

“While the Silvertown link is very welcome and will help to relieve the acute congestion which frequently affects the Blackwall Tunnel, the Mayor’s proposals for a ferry at Gallions Reach is an unsatisfactory alternative for the Thames Gateway Bridge.

“It also poses serious questions about the future of the existing Woolwich Ferry. Will this continue as a free service, or will it be subject to tolls or possible closure under the Mayor’s proposals?”

“More traffic and more pollution”

Environmentalists have hit out at the plans to build a new road crossing. Friends of the Earth’s London Campaigner Jenny Bates said:

“A new road tunnel and car ferry will bring misery to Londoners by creating more noise, more traffic and more pollution.

“If Boris Johnson wants to keep his pledge to make London the world’s greenest capital his transport policy needs to go in a different direction.”

See also: 853: Boris sacrifices Greenwich to win votes in Bexley

PLANS for a new champagne bar in Greenwich town centre have gone flat after the council kicked out a licensing application.

The Black Vanilla Champagne Bar & Gelateria was hoping to open in College Approach in December but its future is now in doubt unless the owners can successfully appeal against the decision.

Councillors on a licensing committee rejected the application because their “saturation policy” for Greenwich town centre requires any new premises license applicants to demonstrate that they “will not add to the cumulative impact experienced.”

Spokesman for Black Vanilla, Adam Brown, said: “We strongly disagree with the Council’s stance on this matter. We know there is a demand locally for more sophisticated drinking venues where the attraction is the quality rather than the quantity of what is consumed. Given that, we are convinced that Black Vanilla can only have the most positive influence on the area.

“We are shocked to find ourselves in this position after the council granted us permission to change the building’s usage and the Police and Fire authorities declared their support to our plans to bring something unique to Greenwich.

“We take responsible drinking very seriously, and have agreed a list of conditions and safeguards with the Police to this effect. We are confident we have grounds for a successful appeal.”

Family-run Black Vanilla, who also run a gelateria and bakery in Blackheath, planned to offer “champagne teas” and “ice cream cocktails” at the new business. While appealing against the decision, they are intending to operate solely as a gelateria at 5 College Approach and have launched an online petition to gather support.

A NEW coat of arms for Royal Greenwich has been shown off for the first time.

The new coat of arms (seen above), which retains the “We govern by serving” motto, was designed by the College of Arms and marks the bestowing of royal status on the borough by the Queen.

The honour comes into effect February 3rd – a month later than was originally expected. The Letters Patent confirming the designation, signed by the Queen, will be presented to the borough.  A fireworks display to mark the event is planned in Greenwich town centre on February 5th.

Leader of the Council, Chris Roberts, commented: “The designation of Greenwich as a Royal Borough in the year of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be followed in the Summer by the arrival of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“These two major events will help place Greenwich in the world’s spotlight, and I am as determined as ever to make sure that Greenwich seizes this opportunity to attract benefits for local residents that will last for generations to come.”

Cllr Roberts revealed last year that the Queen would be visiting Greenwich to reopen the restored Cutty Sark and that the National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory and Queen’s House would become known as Royal Museums, Greenwich.

Previous coats of arms used in Greenwich

London Borough of Greenwich

Greenwich Metropolitan Borough

Woolwich Metropolitan Borough

See these and more coats of arms for local authorities at CivicHeraldry.co.uk

GYMNASTS from around the world have arrived in Greenwich to compete at the Visa 2012 International Gymnastics.

The Olympic qualifying event gets under way today at The O2 ,which becomes known as the North Greenwich Arena as it will do during London 2012.

For Britain’s men, it’s their last chance to qualify as a full team for London 2012 after they failed to secure a place at a qualifying event in Tokyo last October.

The packed schedule of artistic gymnastics, trampoline and rhythmic gymnastics concludes next Wednesday.

The Visa 2012 Gymnastics is the latest in the London Prepares series of London 2012 test events. An equestrian test event was held in Greenwich Park last summer and a shooting test event will take place at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich, in April.