Transport for London (TfL) has announced that the long-awaited Silvertown Tunnel will officially open on April 7, 2025. The tunnel, connecting Silvertown in east London with the Greenwich Peninsula, aims to reduce congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel and offer an alternative crossing during maintenance closures.
New Crossing Charges and Discounts
Starting from the opening date, crossing charges will apply to both the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels. However, there are financial relief measures in place:
- 50% discount for residents on low incomes.
- Additional reductions for charities, small businesses, sole traders, and blue badge holders.
- Discounts can only be accessed by registering with TfL’s Auto Pay system.
Improved Public Transport Connections
The opening of the Silvertown Tunnel will also introduce new public transport options, including:
- Express bus services and cycle shuttles.
- Zero-emission buses providing better connectivity between key destinations.
- Superloop SL4 and the extended route 129 will offer free bus travel.
- 21 buses per hour during peak times will operate across both tunnels.
TfL has announced that pay-as-you-go bus fares on the new Superloop SL4, extended route 129, and existing route 108 will be free. Additionally, TfL will refund DLR fares for pay-as-you-go customers traveling between Greenwich/Cutty Sark and Island Gardens, and Woolwich Arsenal and King George V for at least 12 months after the tunnel’s opening.
Dedicated Cycle Shuttle Service
To support cyclists, TfL will launch a dedicated shuttle bus allowing bikes to be transported through the tunnel safely. The service will run between Seagull Lane (north stop) and Millennium Way (south stop) with:
- Five buses per hour from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm every day except Christmas Day.
- The shuttle will be free for cyclists for at least the first 12 months.
- All buses will be zero-emission at the tailpipe.
Community and Resident Benefits
TfL is keen to ensure that local residents and businesses benefit from the new crossing. Councillor Averil Lekau, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Sustainability, and Transport, emphasized:
“We want to make sure our residents and businesses benefit from the new river-crossing. It will bring free and more frequent public transport options like a new express bus service and cycle shuttle, and free DLR journeys too.”
The Royal Borough of Greenwich has announced that residents receiving certain benefits may be eligible for a 50% discount on crossing charges for at least three years. To check eligibility and apply, residents are encouraged to pre-register on the TfL website.
Accessible Information and Community Engagement
To ensure clear communication, TfL has made information available in eight of the most spoken languages across east and southeast London, ensuring that all communities are informed about the new tunnel and available discounts.
The Silvertown Tunnel is expected to significantly ease congestion, improve transport links, and support active travel, making it a vital infrastructure project for east and southeast London. For more information and to register for discounts, visit the TfL website.
