Transport for London (TfL) has announced that the long-awaited Silvertown Tunnel, linking east London with Greenwich under the River Thames, will officially open on April 7, 2025. The £2 billion project promises to ease congestion in the area, but drivers will face toll charges for the first time at both the new Silvertown Tunnel and the nearby Blackwall Tunnel, marking a significant change in how these crossings are used.
Table of Contents
- Toll Charges and Operational Details
- Public Transport Enhancements
- Impact and Reactions
- Engineering Marvel
Toll Charges and Operational Details
Starting April 7, toll charges will apply from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily for both tunnels. The fee structure is designed to reduce congestion and incentivize off-peak travel:
- Peak hours (weekdays 6:00–10:00 AM northbound, 4:00–7:00 PM southbound):
- Cars and small vans: £4
- Motorcycles: £2.50
- Large vans: £6.50
- HGVs: £10
- Off-peak hours:
- Cars and small vans: £1.50 (with AutoPay registration)
- Motorcycles: £1.50
- Large vans: £2.50
- HGVs: £5
Drivers not registered with TfL’s AutoPay system will pay the higher peak rate regardless of travel time. Between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, both tunnels will be toll-free.
TfL expects the toll system to generate over £100 million annually, with only £3 million in profit after repaying the project’s private finance initiative (PFI) costs.
Public Transport Enhancements
The Silvertown Tunnel aims to boost cross-river connectivity, increasing the number of hourly buses from six to 21 in the area. New routes, including the Superloop SL4 service between Canary Wharf and Grove Park, will begin operations on April 7. For at least one year, all buses using the tunnel will be free.
Cyclists will also benefit from the tunnel through a dedicated bike shuttle service. The “bike bus,” a fleet of three zero-emission vehicles, will transport cyclists and their bicycles across the 1.4-km tunnel. Operating every 12 minutes from 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM daily, the shuttle will run between Seagull Lane near Royal Victoria DLR station and Millennium Way in Greenwich.
Impact and Reactions
While the new infrastructure is expected to reduce peak travel times by up to 20 minutes, it has not been without controversy. Critics, including environmental campaigners, argue that the tunnel will increase traffic, pollution, and carbon emissions. TfL’s modeling suggests that around 100,000 vehicles will continue to use the Blackwall Tunnel daily, with an additional 15,000–30,000 using the Silvertown Tunnel.
Victoria Rance of the Stop Silvertown Tunnel Traffic and Pollution group called the project “a waste of time, money, and brilliant engineering.”
TfL defended the toll system, stating it would make journeys more reliable while managing traffic demand and minimizing environmental impacts. To support low-income residents, TfL is offering half-price tolls for eligible motorists in 13 boroughs, including Greenwich, Newham, and Tower Hamlets. Black taxis will remain exempt from charges.
Engineering Marvel
Stuart Harvey, TfL’s chief capital officer, highlighted the tunnel as “a testament to brilliant and ground-breaking engineering.” Designed and built by the Riverlinx consortium, the twin-bore tunnel will be operated and maintained by the group on behalf of TfL.
The Silvertown Tunnel marks a new chapter in London’s transport infrastructure, promising improved connectivity while raising questions about environmental and social impacts. With the opening date fast approaching, TfL urges drivers to register for AutoPay and familiarize themselves with the new system to ensure a smooth transition.
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