Wharf Life’s handy explainer on what to expect with the Blackwall Tunnel also tolled plus free bus journeys, DLR trips and a cycle shuttle
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what’s going on?
The Silvertown Tunnel is set to open on April 7, 2025, assuming Riverlinx and TfL’s carefully laid plans come to fruition.
what’s that?
It’s a new road crossing under the Thames between Royal Docks and Greenwich Peninsula, named for the neighbourhood in the former where its twin bores pop up.
isn’t that the route of the Blackwall Tunnel?
Not quite. That one runs between the Peninsula and, well, Blackwall.
but there’s quite an impact on both isn’t there?
Correct. From April 7, tolls will apply for drivers in both tunnels.
This is to fund the construction of the new link and ongoing maintenance of the two crossings. It also avoids pushing drivers towards one tunnel.
go on, how much?
Charges will apply between 6am and 10pm. At peak times (6am-10am and 4pm-7pm on weekdays) cars and small vans will pay £4 for each crossing, large vans will pay £5.50 and lorries £6.50.
At weekends and from 10am-4pm and 7pm-10pm on weekdays, the charge is £1.50 per journey. There is no charge between 10pm and 6am for any vehicle.
In contrast to the Congestion Charge and the fee for the Dartford Crossing, motorcyclists and moped riders are not exempt with peak journeys charged at £2.50 and off-peak at £1.50.
how do I pay?
The best option is to sign up for TfL Auto Pay, which also administers the Congestion Charge and LEZ and ULEZ levies in the capital.
Users register their details online and can choose to pay by Direct Debit or card.
Those not using this system pay peak charges via phone or online at all times when using the tunnel.
are there any discounts?
There are. Drivers on low incomes can get 50% off if they live in the boroughs of Barking And Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, City of London, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Tower Hamlets or Waltham Forest. This will be available for at least the first three years.
what about businesses?
Small businesses and charities based in Greenwich, Newham, or Tower Hamlets can register up to three vehicles for a £1 discount per off-peak journey for at least the first year of the tunnel’s operation. This discount applies to Auto Pay only.
Vehicles with a disabled tax class, taxis licensed by TfL, Blue Badge holders and certain other exempt vehicles will be able to use the crossing for free.
what are the benefits?
TfL says the tunnel should help reduce congestion, delays and queues, help tackle pollution and improve the resilience of the road network by providing alternatives for drivers when either tunnel needs to close.
In addition to boosting road capacity, the opening of Silvertown Tunnel will provide new public transport routes.
so more buses?
Yes, at peak times, the crossings will see the number of buses rise from six to 21 per hour thanks to the introduction of Superloop SL4 between Grove Park and Canary Wharf and an extension to the 129 from Lewisham to London City Airport and Great Eastern Quay.
These join existing services on the 108 through Blackwall Tunnel.
TfL says cross river services will be free for the first year to encourage people to use public transport through the new links.
wait, free?
Yes, there’s more too.
For the first 12 months, those making journeys between Island Gardens and Cutty Sark or Woolwich Arsenal and King George V on the DLR will also find their journeys refunded as TfL works to tempt people to swap their cars for alternatives.
The discounts only apply to pay-as-you-go journeys between the stations listed, not longer trips.
anything else?
There’s good news for cyclists too.
The Silvertown Tunnel will have a Cycle Shuttle Service, free for the first year and operating for at least three years, running between Seagull Lane in Royal Docks and Millennium Way on the Peninsula.
This will run every 12 minutes every day from 6.30am to 9.30pm.
are the kids alright?
A puzzle. At the time of going to press, it looked like drivers under the age of 18 – moped riders aged 16+ and car drivers aged 17 – might have to pay the maximum peak toll for crossing through either tunnel at all times.
That’s because off-peak discounts on the charges are only available when using TfL Auto Pay, a service that says it’s only available to those aged 18 or over.
No discounts apply for payments made by phone or online, which are the only other options to make payment.
At off-peak times, that means mopeds riders and motorcyclists would pay an extra £1 per journey and car drivers an extra £2.50.
A TfL spokesperson told Wharf Life: “We are currently looking at how we can ensure that those aged 16 and 17 with a registered vehicle can access TfL Auto Pay to benefit from off-peak user charges for the Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels and will provide an update in due course.”
It said vehicles registered with TfL Auto Pay under a parent or guardian’s account would benefit from the discounts.
It has now altered its web page to clarify that only vehicles registered via an adult’s account will get the discount.
Fine for those aged 17 and under with access to a willing parent or guardian…
key details: the Silvertown Tunnel
More updates and information on the Silvertown Tunnel, which is set to open on April 7, 2025, as well as all the services that are due to come into effect once it does can be found on TfL’s website here.
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