Transport for London has just confirmed that the cost of driving through two of London’s busiest under-the-Thames tunnels will be rising next month. From Monday, September 21, drivers of the capital city will see an increase on charges when crossing through the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels.
The Silvertown Tunnel set up shop last year as the first sub-Thames tunnel to have been built in three decades. It was opened in a bid to ease congestion and reduce air pollution – and once it had officially set up shop, a toll charge was introduced for both the Silvertown and the Blackwall tunnels (the latter of which had previously been free-to-use). Those charges are now set to increase and here’s what you need to know.
How much will it cost to drive through the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels from September 21?
The new charges will vary depending on the vehicle type and the time of day. For example, cars and small vans hopping across the river via one of these two tunnels will pay £4.20 during peak-times (an increase from £4). During off-peak hours, those same vehicles will pay £1.55 to make the journey (up from £1.50).
From September 21, the cost of driving through the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels will be as follows:
- Cars and small vans: £4.20 (peak) and £1.55 (off-peak)
- Motorbikes, mopeds, and motor tricycles: £2.60 (peak) and £1.55 (off-peak)
- Large vans: £6.80 (peak) and £2.60 (off-peak)
- Heavy goods vehicles: £10.50 (peak) and £5.25 (off-peak)
Thousands of Londoners are eligible for a discount on traveling through the tunnels. Low-income residents of Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, and the City of London qualify for a 50% discount. You can check if you are eligible and apply for the discount here.
Most drivers pay the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges using TfL Autopay (as this ensures that users pay the lowest price). The penalty for not paying the toll charge is £180 (but this is discounted to £90 if you pay within two weeks.
Christina Calderato, TfL’s director of strategy, said: “The tunnel user charges are designed to manage traffic demand – which then enables wider objectives like improving the road network’s performance and resilience, encouraging use of public transport and active travel, and supporting economic growth.
“Without tunnel user charge, there would be more traffic and congestion, with negative impacts on air quality and journey times.
“A small increase to the tunnel user charges to account for inflation would ensure the user charge remains at the right level to manage traffic demand at the tunnels and achieve the project’s other objectives effectively.”
You can find out more about the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges here.
