From today, drivers using London’s Blackwall Tunnel will have to pay a toll.
The charge is being implemented the same day the new Silvertown Tunnel – which will link east London to southeast London – also opens to drivers.
For car drivers, a return journey at peak times will cost £8, jumping up to £13 for large vans.
Here is everything you need to know about the new tunnel, the tolls and the decision behind its implementation.
What is the Silvertown Tunnel?
The 1.4km (just under one mile) long tunnel stretches from Silvertown in Newham, east London, to the Greenwich Peninsula in southeast London.
It will run adjacent to the Victorian-era Blackwall Tunnel which takes drivers near The O2 Arena under the River Thames to the East India Dock Road (A13) in Blackwall.
The project, which has cost £2.2bn, was approved by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, having been first proposed back in 2012.
It is being funded through private finance and Transport for London (TfL) will pay back £100m a year through money made on the toll.
The tunnel boring machine at Royal Docks. Pic: PA
Why was it built?
Put simply, the Silvertown Tunnel aims to reduce congestion that currently builds up on the approach to the Blackwall Tunnel – with TfL claiming it will shave 20 minutes off journeys.
The government body says the Blackwall Tunnel was never designed to carry the levels of traffic it currently does, leading to more frequent incidents that cause traffic to tailback for miles and negatively impacting air quality.
Transport for London says the Blackwall Tunnel cannot handle the current amount of congestion. Pic: PA
As well as private vehicles, around 21 buses will travel through the new tunnel every hour from 7am until 7pm Monday to Friday, which TfL has said will help to offer new routes for more people.
A dedicated bike bus shuttle service will also transport cyclists and their bikes across the river.
A map showing the bus routes through the Silvertown Tunnel. Pic: Transport for London
How much will it cost and how do you pay?
Charges will apply to both the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels. How much it costs depends on what you are driving and at what time.
A general view of the new Silvertown Tunnel. Pic: PA
Peak hours through the northbound tunnel (going towards central London) will run from 6am to 10am Monday to Friday.
For the southbound tunnel (going away from central London) peak hours are 4pm until 7pm Monday to Friday.
All other times will be classed as off-peak, including weekends.
Take a look at the table below to see the full breakdown of charges.
Both tunnels will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The toll has to be paid by phone or online. The TfL website states the easiest way to pay is to use Auto Pay, which allows people to link their payment cards to an account that will automatically take payment.
From Monday, local residents will be able to use cross-river bus routes for free for a year. Residents who are on certain benefits and live in local boroughs will also be eligible for a 50% discount.
Pic: PA
Why is it so controversial?
Ever since the Silvertown Tunnel was given the green light, it has been met with criticism from opposition parties and campaign groups.
The Liberal Democrats have argued against the project from the start, claiming Mr Khan hasn’t listened to environmental concerns.
The tunnel will be ready in 2025. Pic: PA
The party says more roads will lead to more people using them, creating bottlenecks through areas including Greenwich, Blackheath and Eltham.
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Rob Blackie, who was the Lib Dem’s candidate for Mayor of London, previously said: “The way to cut pollution and climate change is to encourage people to walk, bicycle and use public transport.
“This multi-billion pound project, the Silvertown Tunnel, does exactly the opposite.”
Campaign group Stop Silvertown Tunnel Coalition also argues the opening of the tunnel will increase congestion and emissions and impose a toll on Londoners to compensate for construction costs.
But TfL maintains the project will “help to reduce congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel, deliver faster journeys during peak times, help manage overall air quality and allow for better cross-river public transport”.
