USERS of the Blackwall Tunnel could face tolls of up to £5 to pay for a new Thames tunnel crossing connecting the Greenwich peninsula with Silvertown.

Transport for London (TfL) revealed the proposals as a consultation was launched on the controversial crossing plan, which currently has no funding in place and would not open until 2021 at the earliest.

The charge has been described as "the most appropriate way" to fund the tunnel, along with a proposed ferry link between Thamesmead and Beckton.

TfL also claims tolling would manage traffic, by forcing drivers to consider whether they could travel a different route at a different time.

The proposed cost is similar to the Dartford Crossing, with £2 for cars, £2.50 for two-axle goods vehicles and £5 for HGVs.

Prices that change according to the time of day are also being considered.

Elsewhere in the consultation, the Woolwich Ferry is considered for closure due to concerns over congestion in the area, with the infrastructure decommisioned and redeveloped.

London Assembly member Darren Johnson slammed the toll plan, saying: "Those of us opposed to the Silvertown Crossing because of its dreadful impact on air pollution will remain opposed.

"Moreover, I suspect many of those who were originally in favour of a new road crossing will hate the idea of having to pay tolls on the Blackwall Tunnel.

"Given there are now far more public transport options for crossing the Thames in east London, there is really no need for a new road crossing."

Despite chairing TfL, Mayor of London Boris Johnson appeared to write off the plans on Twitter, saying they would not happen while he was mayor.

But a spokesman for the Mayor's Office said this was because, if the toll did happen, it would be "some years down the line".

The consultation runs until February 1 2013. People can share their views at tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings.

A printed information leaflet can be requested by calling 0843 222 1234.