CAMPAIGNERS were last night planning their objections after Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott ordered a public inquiry into proposals for a second Tyne tunnel.

The decision to investigate the New Tyne Crossing was welcomed by environmentalists as a "victory for common sense and democracy".

South Tyneside Friends of the Earth (FoE) campaigner Bryan Atkinson said: "The arguments for building the Tyne tunnel are riddled with flaws and inaccuracies. These will be exposed during the public inquiry."

The existing tunnel carries north and southbound traffic and was designed for 24,000 vehicles a day.

It now carries 36,000 vehicles a day, resulting in congestion and delays, and is forecast to hit 52,000 by 2021.

The second proposed £139m tunnel, to cross between East Howdon and Jarrow near the existing tunnel, would be built under the government's Private Finance Initiative.

It would be used by southbound traffic on the A19 while the present tunnel would be converted to take northbound traffic.

The North-East Chamber of Trade has argued that the tunnel, which will increase capacity to 76,000 vehicles a day, is essential for economic growth and job creation.

But FoE says there would be huge increases in traffic, not just on the A19 river crossing but on adjoining roads, and public transport alternatives had not been studied.

Members have also voiced fears about thousands of tonnes of potentially contaminated material to be dredged from the river.

The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority vice-hairman, Councillor Muriel Green, said: "We believe this is the best place for all parties to air their views and the fairest way of considering the New Tyne Crossing."

No date for the inquiry has been announced, but it is expected to be held during the late winter or early in the spring.