Charges introduced for drivers as new Silvertown Tunnel opens

The Silvertown tunnel has been opened with new charges applying to drivers using the new Thames crossing and the Blackwall Tunnel.  

The 1.4km Silvertown Tunnel, which was first announced in 2012, now links Newham to the Greenwich Peninsula, with average journey time savings expected to be up to 20 minutes at peak times. 

It has been delivered by Transport for London (TfL) and Riverlinx, which designed, built and financed the project and will also operate and maintain it over the next 25 years.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The new Silvertown Tunnel will transform travel in the south and east of our city, particularly across the River Thames, and will help to address the chronic congestion and poor air quality around Blackwall Tunnel.”

East London residents and businesses currently face chronic traffic congestion in the area around the Blackwall Tunnel. 

The Victorian-era tunnel suffers from frequent closures - more than 700 times a year - which result in large tailbacks, poor air quality and millions of hours lost due to drivers being trapped in traffic congestion.

To help manage traffic levels across the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, to repay costs for building the new Silvertown Tunnel, and to cover ongoing maintenance and operation costs at both tunnels, a user charge has now been introduced between 6am and 10pm, seven days a week. 

An off-peak rate of £1.50 will apply the majority of the time, for vehicles registered for TfL Auto Pay. 

To manage traffic during the busiest times, peak charges will apply, set at £1 more than standard off-peak charges for motorcycles and an extra £2.50 for cars and small vans. 

Large vans will pay an extra £4 and HGVs will pay an extra £5 during peak hours. These will apply for four hours northbound in the morning (from 6-10am) and three hours southbound in the evening (from 4-7pm), Monday to Friday, or for anyone not using TfL Auto Pay.

All buses, coaches and vehicles with nine seats or more registered with the DVLA will automatically be exempt from Silvertown and Blackwall tunnel charges.

All taxis, blue badge holders, and wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles registered with TfL will not be chargable. 

Zero-emission capable private hire vehicles licensed by TfL - which currently make up around half of the 93,000 fleet - would also be exempt. 

Vehicles registered under the accredited breakdown/recovery vehicle discount will also not have to pay a charge.

Andy Lord, London's transport commissioner, said: “We have worked hard to ensure that, alongside the user charge, there is a package of supporting measures for Londoners and businesses. 

“These will ensure that the new tunnel delivers on its objectives of reducing congestion and providing resilience at the Blackwall Tunnel, while supporting local residents on low income, small businesses, sole traders and local charities.”