A public inquiry may be held into the proposed 拢425m Thames Gateway bridge if its backers do not modify the design to takes account of some environmental concerns

Critics led by the Environment Agency held up the scheme last week as it was about to obtain planning consent. They believe that the bridge, which would be built over the Thames from Thamesmead to Beckton, would damage the ecosystem of the area.

Greenwich councillors had advised giving full planning permission for the construction of the crossing when they met last Tuesday.

But the meeting was adjourned after councillors received a 21-page letter from the Environment Agency the same morning expressing their concerns.

The Environment Agency said that it supported the idea of a bridge in principle but was unhappy with the plans, which they said had the potential to have harmful effects upon the foreshore and river margins and on some species of migrating fish.

A spokesperson said: 鈥淚n principle we do not object to the planning application, but we need to ensure that the bridge is built in an environmentally sensitive way. Our view is that Transport for London has not properly assessed the environmental impacts of the proposed bridge.鈥�

The spokesperson said that although the council could ignore the agency鈥檚 recommendations, it was within its power to refer the matter to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for an independent public inquiry.

The agency said that the reason it had submitted its views at such a late date was because it had only been sent the council鈥檚 suggested planning committee report on 15 November, after outlining its fears in September. The agency said that these concerns had not been addressed properly.

Other criticisms were made by English Nature, the Port of London Authority and London City Airport. The airport authorities are understood to have sent a three-page letter to Greenwich council, requesting a limit on the height of the bridge so flight paths are not affected. They also want to monitor lighting on the bridge to ensure aircraft are not distracted.

Both sides emphasised that they were trying to resolve the difficulties. A source at Greenwich council said they were looking at the issues. A spokesperson for Transport for London said that it was continuing to work with the council and the agency.