Will NobleIn Pictures: The Silvertown Tunnel Is Open
Monday 7 April was a gloriously sunny day — ideal conditions for plunging into the dark recesses of a 1.4km underground road — aka the brand new Silvertown Tunnel. Londonist was among the first to travel through.
Approaching the tunnel from North Greenwich. The 129 is one of the bus routes passing through the tunnel, as well as the SL4 and 108. Travel on these buses is now free to passengers until at least April 2026 (you still need to tap in though).A glimpse of the Blackwall Tunnel gatehouse just before entering the Silvertown Tunnel. As of now, motorists using the Blackwall Tunnel (opened in 1897) will incur a fee. Among the first to use the tunnel, and a front seat too!On its first day around 9.30am the Silvertown Tunnel was very quiet. However, revenue projections for its first year are £123m.Light at the end of the tunnel.The Silvertown portal building in Newham, a kind of traffic control centre for the twin-bore tunnel — and a rather jazzy new landmark. There's another, less vibrant, portal on the Greenwich side.Could that be Sadiq Khan on that rooftop?Pay-as-you-go customers will also enjoy free travel on the DLR for at least a year between: Greenwich or Cutty Sark and Island Gardens, and Woolwich Arsenal and King George V. Cutty Sark station is about to close for almost a year.Smashing views of the O2 as you head into the tunnel from the Silvertown side.Motorists must pay a toll charge to use the Silvertown Tunnel between 6am and 10pm. There are concerns among residents that many HGVs will choose to drive late at night, when it's free to do so.One of the first ever Silvertown Tunnel Cycle Shuttles in action. The service takes cyclists from one end of the tunnel to the other, although detractors have claimed it's somewhat impractical, and something of an afterthought.The bus from Silvertown to North Greenwich was pretty busy, some passengers taking videos of the tunnel. One young kid was clearly impressed, uttering "Wow". The Silvertown Tunnel isn't just a new piece of infrastructure then, but a free thing to do with the kids. Easter holidays sorted!The Silvertown Tunnel Cycle Shuttle; there were a few people taking pictures here. Londoners love a new bus service.Emerging on the North Greenwich side.If you're using North Greenwich station, be sure to visit Alex Chinneck's A Bullet From a Shooting Star sculpture.
