The cost of a return trip through the Blackwall tunnel could be more than £10 a day, the mayor of London has warned.

Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for government help for low income drivers, who could be priced out of using the tunnel in east London once charges are introduced in 2025.

Although currently free to use, it was announced earlier this year that a £4 toll could be introduced to help pay the cost of building the nearby Silvertown tunnel – but Mr Khan warned the exact amount drivers would have to pay had not been set yet.

Writing to Transport Secretary Mark Harper on Tuesday, the mayor pointed out that the £4 charge was floated in 2015, and that the equivalent in 2023, in line with inflation, would be £5.25.

He wrote: "Years on from that decision, local residents in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Greenwich are facing a severe cost-of-living crisis, and, whereas west London residents have multiple free options to cross the river, people in east London currently rely solely on the Blackwall Tunnel."

He also added on Twitter “I've asked that exploration of options to support the lowest income families, while maintaining the traffic & environment benefits of the scheme, do not impact any future TfL funding discussions.”

Mr Khan’s letter follows public anger over the tolls plans for the Blackwall tunnel, which itself comes amidst ongoing protests over the expansion of the Ulez scheme.

An official decision on the toll fee for either Blackwall or Silvertown is not due to be announced until next Autumn.