The leader of Greenwich Council has asked Sadiq Khan to "pause" plans to build the Silvertown Tunnel.

A letter from Danny Thorpe to the Mayor was released earlier this week, in which he calls for a "full review of alternative options."

Opposition has been growing to the £1bn project, with councillors, environmental experts and activists on both sides of the Thames continuing to raise concerns.

The letter reads: “Following a number of internal discussions, the Greenwich Labour Group are writing to ask that work on the Silvertown Tunnel Project is paused, whilst a full review of alternative options to reduce congestion and pollution around the Blackwall Tunnel are examined.”

Cllr Thorpe outlines five areas he would like to be explored as part of a review, such as a DLR extension, increased cycling and pedestrian links across the River Thames as well as tolling of the Blackwall and Rotherhithe tunnels.

Supporters of the tunnel say development will cut congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel, which is closed hundreds of times a year.

A spokesperson for the Mayor's Office said: “The mayor has put tackling the climate emergency at the heart of his work as mayor.

“That’s why when Sadiq became mayor, he worked with TfL to make significant changes to the Silvertown Tunnel scheme to protect the environment better and to ensure there is a greater focus on walking, cycling and public transport.

“The Silvertown Tunnel will tackle congestion, reduce idling cars standing in traffic, and importantly increase cross-river bus services. Bus crossings are currently severely restricted by the Blackwall Tunnel, built more than 100 years ago.

“Plans for the Silvertown Tunnel have a clear focus on cleaner transport, with at least 20 zero-emission buses running in either direction from the day the tunnel opens, and the crossing being located within the extended Ultra Low Emission Zone.”

Victoria Rance, Coordinator of the Stop the Silvertown Tunnel Coalition said: "This is a brilliant achievement by the cross party group from Labour, the Green Party, the Lib Dems and the Womens's Equality Party who have worked tirelessly with local climate activists from Extinction Rebellion, residents groups from across the borough, and air quality campaigners to raise awareness across Greenwich about this eye-wateringly expensive new road, and the massive harm it will do to efforts to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

"We hope that now that Greenwich have signalled their opposition to the scheme, adding to the overwhelming existing opposition from top climate, traffic, and environmental health experts, leaders of four other boroughs, active travel NGOs, cycle logistics businesses, and local residents' groups, the Mayor and TfL will take the opportunity to halt the scheme, look at the evidence, and think again."