LONDON.Jan 07/LBC/- The Silvertown tunnel will open on April 7 2025 – with motorists having to pay up to £4 for each journey under the Thames.
Same charges will also be imposed for the first time on the Blackwall tunnel in an attempt to prevent motorists shunning the new tunnel – built in a bid to ease congestion.
Drivers will need to register with TfL’s autopay system to avoid the peak toll when charges are in force.
Registering with AutoPay mean motorists will be charged the £1.50 off-peak rate when using either tunnel outside the peak hours.
TfL announced the “go live” date on Monday – giving drivers four months to prepare for the new charges.
TfL said the 1.4km Silvertown Tunnel will link Newham to the Greenwich Peninsula and make journeys faster and more reliable – with average journey time savings expected to be up to 20 minutes at peak times.
They added: “To help manage traffic levels across the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, repay costs for building the new Silvertown Tunnel, and cover ongoing maintenance and operation costs at both tunnels, a user charge will be introduced on 7 April 2025.
“Without introducing this user charge at both tunnels, there would likely be high levels of traffic and congestion in the area, which would lead to detrimental air quality impacts, as well as longer journey times.”
