Major London tunnel to start charging drivers for the first time in 130 years

The new charges for Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels have been confirmed by Transport for London.

TfL’s board rubberstamped the charges for the two tunnels connecting Greenwich with Poplar and the Victoria Docks in east London.

It comes after the transport authority ran a public consultation on the controversial charges for both tunnels – and they have now been approved as £1.50 during off-peak and £4 at peak hours.

Blackwall Tunnel, which opened almost 130 years ago in 1897 and connects the A2 with the A12 north of the River Thames, has been free to use since the Victorian times.

Silvertown Tunnel, a new 1.4km route, is reaching the final stages of construction linking north Greenwich with the A1020.

TfL said it has introduced the charges to manage levels of traffic in the tunnels and tackle delays and congestion which ‘contribute to poorer air quality.’

However, some drivers have criticised the charges as Blackwall Tunnel entrances and exits have often been plagued by traffic jams and delays.

The charges will apply from 6am to 10pm every day in both directions when the Silvertown Tunnel opens in the spring of 2025.

Drivers will have to pay every time they cross, but eligible Londoners, charities and small businesses can apply for discounts and exemptions, such as those on the lowest incomes.

Only customers who register for the Auto Pay option can get the off-peak rate, while drivers paying by phone or online without signing up will have to pay the peak rates at all times.

Here is a full breakdown of the charges for different vehicle types and when the peak hours apply.

TfL ran a public consultation on the charges in the summer and autumn with more than 5,300 responses, it said.

Yesterday, the TfL board confirmed that the initial opening charges will apply from spring 2025 when Silvertown Tunnel opens.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said drivers face ‘chronic traffic congestion’ on the Blackwall Tunnel approaches which was ‘never designed for the levels of traffic now crossing the river in east London.’

He said the new Silvertown Tunnel will ‘ease congestion for drivers, reduce journey times and help manage air pollution.’

Christina Calderato, a director of strategy at TfL, said: ‘As we prepare for the opening of Silvertown Tunnel in the Spring and following public consultation, which saw more than 5,000 responses, the TfL Board has now agreed the initial charges, discounts and exemptions for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels.

‘These measures will manage traffic demand as well as the environmental impacts, and ensure the new tunnel delivers on its objectives of reducing congestion and providing resilience at the Blackwall Tunnel, while ensuring we support local residents on low income, small businesses, sole traders and local charities.

‘If we did not introduce these, there would likely be high levels of traffic and congestion, which would lead to detrimental air quality impacts, as well as longer journey times. In the New Year, we will carry out a major marketing campaign to encourage drivers to sign up to TfL AutoPay, ensuring Londoners can benefit from the off-peak discounts from launch.’

When Blackwall Tunnel has been closed, whether for planned works or emergencies, it tends to cause residual traffic at other river crossings such as the Woolwich Ferry, the A13 and Tower Bridge.

However, the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel, which was first proposed in 2012, is expected to help take traffic off from Blackwall.

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