RESIDENTS' calls for a cut-and-cover tunnel through Blackheath Hill to stop further subsidence and cut pollution are backed by Greenwich Council leader Councillor Chris Roberts.

More than 150 residents called on Transport for London (TfL) to reduce the hill's gradient or build a tunnel at a heated meeting at the Church of Ascension, on Dartmouth Row, Blackheath, on Saturday.

The meeting was called after the emergency evacuation of more than 100 homes around Blackheath Hill when the road collapsed into disused chalk mines beneath.

Cllr Roberts said: "The ideas presented by residents are supported by Greenwich Council.

"A cut-and-cover tunnel will reduce the gradient and visually reduce the appearance of traffic and pollution. The idea now is to get the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, to make this a priority."

Those evacuated from Greenwich and Lewisham boroughs are now in temporary accommodation and both councils are seeking permanent housing for them.

Other residents, fearing they are sitting on empty mine shafts just waiting to collapse, say the problem is partly caused by 30 tonne lorries rumbling down the road day and night. At the meeting, they told TfL it would not be enough to fill the hole and let things go back to the way they were, as the high levels of traffic will keep dislodging the old chalk workings.

A reduced gradient would lead to fewer lorries shuddering up and down the hill, which causes minor earth tremors. But the plans were dismissed by TfL, which says it does not have the millions of pounds needed.

Chief engineer for TfL Trevor Williams said: "The subsidence has not been caused by HGVs it has been caused by mine shafts.

"Our main priority is to restore the road to the state it was in and return all traffic as soon as possible."

Blackheath Hill Residents' Association spokesman Michael Grimes said: "We came up with a number of solutions to the problem. But TfL only seemed to be interested in getting traffic back on the road."

Executive director of Regeneration for Lewisham Pat Hayes said: "We are behind residents in wanting to find a long-term solution to traffic problems but the priority is sorting out subsidence."

Costs are believed to have run into tens of millions and TfL says Blackheath Hill is unlikely to open until at least May 3.

l Turn to page 4 for special report.