Silvertown Tunnel Opens: London’s New Thames Crossing is Here!
The long-awaited Silvertown Tunnel officially opened today, connecting east and south London. This 1.4km tunnel links Newham to the Greenwich Peninsula, promising huge relief from congestion and quicker journeys across the River Thames.
A Decade in the Making
First announced back in 2012, the Silvertown Tunnel is a major project delivered by Transport for London (TfL) alongside Riverlinx Limited. Commuters can now save up to 20 minutes during peak times, offering a vital alternative to the notoriously clogged Blackwall Tunnel.
Boosted Bus Routes and Cyclist Perks
The tunnel has pushed bus capacity across the river from six to 21 buses per hour. A highlight is the new Superloop 4 route, connecting south-east London to Canary Wharf for the first time ever.
- Superloop 4 buses will run every eight minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes at weekends.
- Cross-river bus routes serving Greenwich, Newham, and Tower Hamlets will be free for pay-as-you-go users for at least 12 months.
- Cyclists get a free shuttle service for the first year, making river crossings smoother than ever.
Mayor Sadiq Khan Hails Tunnel a Game-Changer
“The new Silvertown Tunnel will transform travel in the south and east of our city, particularly across the River Thames, and will help to address the chronic congestion and poor air quality around Blackwall Tunnel.”
The Mayor also highlighted how the tunnel will reduce journey times, tackle pollution, and boost cross-river public transport links.
Tolls Introduced with Discounts for Locals
To control traffic and cover costs, tolls apply to both Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels from 6am to 10pm, seven days a week. But there’s good news for locals: low-income residents get a generous 50% discount, along with other concessions.
Fueling East London’s Growth
The land used for building the tunnel will now support the Thameside West development, including 5,000 new homes, strategic industrial land, and a new DLR station. This is part of a wider Royal Docks regeneration plan aiming to create 36,000 new homes and 55,000 jobs across east London.
Andy Lord, London’s transport commissioner, commented: “The new Silvertown Tunnel is vital to supporting growth in east and southeast London and boosting cross-river bus services. Supported by the user charges, the tunnel will reduce congestion and air quality issues around Blackwall Tunnel, making journeys faster and more reliable.”
Public Cheers the New Tunnel
“Finally, an end to the constant traffic jams at Blackwall Tunnel. The new bus routes will make commuting much easier,” said one happy commuter.
The Silvertown Tunnel’s opening marks a new era in cross-river connectivity, delivering faster travel and backing London’s bigger urban development ambitions.
