London Tunnels Set to Hit Drivers with New £4 Daily Charge
Come next year, drivers using London’s Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels could face a hefty £4 toll each time they pass through during rush hour. Transport for London (TfL) has thrown open an eight-week consultation on the radical new plans.
When and How Much Will You Pay?
- Charges kick in during peak hours: 6am-10am northbound and 4pm-7pm southbound on weekdays.
- AutoPay users get a bargain £1.50 off-peak rate; others still pay £4 for off-peak trips.
- Currently, the Blackwall Tunnel is free, but that’s about to end once the £2 billion Silvertown Tunnel opens in 2025.
- Other vehicle fees: motorbikes and mopeds £2.50 peak/£1.50 off-peak; large vans £6.50/£2.50; heavy goods vehicles £10/£5. Small vans pay same as cars.
Fines, Freebies and Discounts
The tunnels will be free overnight for all vehicles. But dodge the charge during the day and you’re staring down a fat £180 fine. Exemptions include buses, coaches, black cabs, blue badge holders in London, and zero-emission private hire cars.
Low-income drivers and benefit recipients in 12 east and southeast boroughs snag a 50% discount. Charities, sole traders, and small businesses in Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, and Newham are also in line for discounts. Locals can contact their councils for support.
Sadiq Khan Backs Charge Amid Climate Row
London Mayor Sadiq Khan defended the charges, claiming they’ll slash pollution and speed up journeys on the Silvertown crossing by up to 20 minutes. “This will ease congestion and deliver quicker, more reliable journeys in east London,” he said.
But climate activists aren’t convinced, warning the new crossing could actually ramp up traffic and air pollution. TfL’s Strategy Director Christina Calderato warned that without the charges, heavy traffic and worsening air quality would be inevitable.
More Charges on the Horizon
These tunnel fees come hot on the heels of the controversial Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion last August, which slapped a daily £12.50 charge on older polluting vehicles. The ULEZ sparked protests outside Downing Street, as drivers push back against rising London transport costs.
Watch this space as London clamps down harder on traffic to tackle the capital’s toxic air crisis.
