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Possible Blackwall Tunnel charges revealed in approved Transport for London road signs

12:33, 26 September 2023

Car drivers traveling through the Blackwall Tunnel could face a £4 toll charge according to approved road signs.

Documents published on the Transport for London (TfL) website suggest bikers will have to pay £3 and other vehicles as much as £8.50.

Approach to the Blackwall Tunnel on the Greenwich side of the River Thames. Picture: Jim Rantell
Approach to the Blackwall Tunnel on the Greenwich side of the River Thames. Picture: Jim Rantell

In August it was announced motorists would have to pay a fee to use the previously free tunnel, which connects Greenwich and Tower Hamlets, in the next few years.

Thousands of Kent drivers who regularly use the crossing, particularly for work, are set to be affected by the changes.

It will only be implemented once the Silvertown Tunnel, which will link Silvertown and the Greenwich Peninsula, opens in 2025.

The new road under the Thames will be the first to be built in the capital in more than 30 years and is being created to help reduce congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel.

It promises to improve journey times by up to 20 minutes, reduce the environmental impact of traffic congestion, and provide more opportunities to cross the river by public transport.

The possible Blackwall and Silverton Tunnel charges. Picture: TfL
The possible Blackwall and Silverton Tunnel charges. Picture: TfL

A spokesman for the TfL explained that no charges have been finalised yet and any times and costs within the submission are indicative to allow for approval to be obtained.

Because of this, the information shown on the signs are placeholders so the overall design of the signs could be approved.

A previous approval was signed in April 2022.

The spokesperson said: “In order to obtain necessary approvals for the new road signage required for the Silvertown Tunnel, a submission for the potential signs has been made to the Department for Transport.

“No charges have been finalised yet and any times and costs within the submission are indicative to allow for approval to be obtained.

The Silvertown Tunnel is under construction. Picture: TfL
The Silvertown Tunnel is under construction. Picture: TfL

“The final charges will be made ahead of the Silvertown Tunnel opening in 2025 once further modeling, including assessments on concessions, are completed.”

These possible charges come after plans for another tunnel, which would help connect Kent to Essex, were delayed.

In 2022 a bid to build the Lower Thames Crossing to ease congestion on the Dartford Crossing was accepted for review despite being labelled

It includes two 2.6-mile road tunnels under the Thames, which will be the longest road tunnels in England.

The project required changes to the current road network and approval from the government in the form of a development consent order (DCO).

Drivers will have to pay to use the Blackwall Tunnel in 2025. Picture: Jim Rantell
Drivers will have to pay to use the Blackwall Tunnel in 2025. Picture: Jim Rantell

Construction on the tunnel is yet to begin and has since been delayed.

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “As one of the largest planning applications ever, the Lower Thames Crossing, backed by £800 million to date, will also be slowed down by 2 years.

“This will allow more time to take into account stakeholder views and prepare an effective and deliverable plan, while helping to meet inflationary pressures and deliver the planning processes properly.”

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