The toll fees for the Blackwall Tunnel, and the neighbouring, yet-to-open Silvertown Tunnel have been confirmed.
Cars, motorcycles and small vans using the two east London crossing between 6am and 10pm on any day of the week will be charged an off-peak rate of £1.50, and a peak rate of £2.50 per crossing (motorcycles) and £4 (cars and small vans), applied 6am-10am and 4pm to 7pm, Mon-Fri. Drivers will need to sign up to TfL AutoPay to benefit from the off-peak discount.
The toll fees shouldn't come as a shock to anyone who's been following news on the two tunnels. Tolls were first mooted back in 2012, and the fees now confirmed fall in line with an announcement earlier in 2024.
TfL is keen to point out that various discounts and exemptions will apply, including a 50% saving for low-income drivers in 12 east and south-east London boroughs; a £1 discount on the standard off-peak charge for a minimum of one year for small businesses, sole traders and charities registered in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Greenwich; and an exemption for taxis, blue badge holders, and wheelchair-accessible private-hire vehicles registered with TfL.
The Blackwall Tunnel has been in use since 1897, when it was opened by the Prince of Wales — this is the first time users will be charged to pass through it. The Silvertown Tunnel — due to open in spring 2025 — has stoked controversy from various quarters, including environmentalists and cyclists (who cannot directly access the tunnel), as well as motorists, who'll not relish having to put their hands in their pockets. But needs apparently must.
Christina Calderato, Director of Strategy at TfL, says: "If we did not introduce these, there would likely be high levels of traffic and congestion, which would lead to detrimental air quality impacts, as well as longer journey times."
