TfL sets out new charges for using Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels

New user charges for using the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels have been published by Transport for London (TfL).

The charges, which will apply seven days a week, from 6am to 10pm, are required as part of the development consent for the new Silvertown tunnel and were first proposed in 2012.

TfL has proposed both peak and off-peak rates, with peak charges applying for four hours northbound in the morning (from 6am to 10am) and three hours southbound in the evening (from 4pm to 7pm), Monday to Friday.

Charges would apply once the new Silvertown Tunnel opens in spring 2025.

The suggested standard off-peak rate is £1.50 for cars, motorbikes and small vans for vehicles registered for TfL AutoPay.

Peak charges will be £1 more than standard off-peak charges for motorbikes and an extra £2.50 for cars and small vans.

Customers who pay via other channels rather than TfL Autopay would pay the peak charges at all times.

Proposed charges

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Local residents and business owners currently face chronic congestion and pollution in the area around the Blackwall Tunnel.

“When it opens in 2025, the long-planned new Silvertown tunnel will help deliver quicker, more reliable journeys in east London by easing congestion and making journeys up to 20 minutes faster.”

He added: “TfL is launching this consultation to get feedback from residents and businesses on the proposals. I encourage Londoners in the area to get involved and have their say.”

During the eight-week consultation, fleets can have their say on the proposed tunnel user charges, discounts and exemptions.

To help residents and businesses, TfL has proposed a package of measures.

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

All taxis, blue badge holders, and wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles registered with TfL would be exempt, as well as zero-emission capable private hire vehicles licensed by TfL.

Tunnel charges would also be reimbursed to NHS staff and patients eligible through the NHS reimbursement scheme and vehicles registered under the accredited breakdown/recovery vehicle discount would not have to pay a charge.

Furthermore, TfL is proposing a 50% discount for low-income drivers in 12 east and south-east London boroughs and the City of London, as well as a £1 discount on the standard off-peak charge for at least one year for small businesses, sole traders and charities registered in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Greenwich.

Bus journeys made on three cross-river routes which start in Newham, Tower Hamlets and Greenwich, as well as cross-river journeys on the DLR from Cutty Sark to Island Gardens, and from Woolwich Arsenal to King George V will also be free for at least one year.

The previously announced ‘cycle shuttle’ service, which TfL consulted on in summer 2023, will allow people with bikes to safely cross the river via a high frequency bus service for cyclists around Silvertown and North Greenwich.

This service would be free to use for at least the first year. More information about this is now available here. 

Christina Calderato, director of strategy at TfL, said: “The Silvertown Tunnel is now less than a year away from opening and we are sharing our user charging scheme, so Londoners can have their say on the proposed charge levels and wide range of discounts and exemptions.

“Without introducing tunnel user charges for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, there would likely be high levels of traffic and congestion, which would lead to detrimental air quality impacts, as well as longer journey times. 

“This proposed package of supporting measures aims to ensure the scheme is green and fair for Londoners and businesses.

“These measures will ensure that 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.”

Following the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel, TfL says it will continue to look at options for additional river crossings in east London, including the potential for a new ferry for pedestrians and cyclists.

Tunnel closure

Fleets are reminded that TfL has announced two weekend closures of the southbound Blackwall tunnel.

The closures, which will take place across the weekends of July 20-22 and August 17-19, are required to support the opening of the new Silvertown tunnel.

They will allow for the final road configuration to be implemented, as well as road resurfacing and safety barrier works to be carried out.

The dates, says TfL, have been chosen to avoid key events happening in London during the summer.