Greenwich Council has issued an air pollution warning for the borough on Friday, just days after Transport for London signed off on a start date for construction of the controversial Silvertown Tunnel.

A social media post published by the  council states that “Possible high air pollution has been forecast today” ahead of a predicted high of 36 degrees across parts of London.

The council said residents should “reduce physical activity” if they have experience sore eyes, a cough, or a sort throat, are elderly, have asthma, or suffer from lung or heart problems.

The air quality warning comes just two days after Transport for London programme manager Helen Wright signed off on the official start date for construction of the Silvertown Tunnel.

The action is sure to draw the ire of activists who have long-campaigned against the building of the tunnel, with part of their reasoning being potential air quality impacts they believe will arise from increased vehicle use on both sides of the twin-bore tunnel linking the Greenwich Peninsula and Silvertown.

In a notice published on the Gazette on August 5, Transport for London states work on the construction of the tunnel will start August 10.

From that date, workers will be able to remove vehicles causing an obstruction in the nearby Blackwall Tunnel area, while people obstructing the tunnel will be liable to be hit with fixed penalty notices.

The notice was met with anger by several Greenwich councillors.

“The Silvertown Tunnel is an unforgivable mistake that will leave (sic) to more congestion and pollution, but the fight to stop it is not over,” Cllr Aiden Smith, who represents Greenwich West ward, posted on Twitter.

“Totally misguided approach, makes absolutely no sense and a financial burden at a time of financial challenges for Local Government. Mayor can stop this if he chooses to do so. To continue is a slap in the face for those who seek to improve air quality,” posted his Labour colleague and Woolwich Riverside member John Fahy.

Earlier this year, Greenwich cabinet members ruled out challenging the decision beyond requesting Mayor Sadiq Khan suspend work on the project.

“We are very disappointed as a Labour group because we asked the Mayor to pause (a decision) but I can’t say anything more than that,” then-cabinet member for transport and air quality Denise Scott-McDonald said in March.

“Right now there’s no avenue to make any legal decision or legally challenge this in any way.”