Blackwall Tunnel toll planned for new Greenwich Peninsula and Silvertown crossing

12:08pm Tuesday 30th October 2012 in Traffic & Travel By Mark Chandler

The Blackwall Tunnel The Blackwall Tunnel

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.

Comments(13)

Outandabout says...
12:41pm Tue 30 Oct 12

What a wonderful solution to improve traffic flow. It does wonders for the Dartford crossing

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joertmclark says...
1:38pm Tue 30 Oct 12

Why don't they use the money that we paid for driving across the Dartford Crossing?
The government promised that this money would be used for a new river crossing.
There will be outrage if a planned toll on Blackwall Tunnel will go ahead!
And before you know it, the toll probably wouldn't be used for a future river crossing. Sensing a bit of De ja vu here.

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philipfrost says...
2:59pm Tue 30 Oct 12

Here's a radical thought. How about using a tiny percentage of the billions of pounds already being fleeced out of the motorist by way of vehicle excise duty, fuel tax, vat on top of the fuel tax, victims of crime surcharge on motoring offences, parking fines, to name but a few, and build the tunnel out of funds already contributed to the roads.??

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Guess who ;) AGAIN ! says...
3:38pm Tue 30 Oct 12

Righto Sarf London and Kent, bend over touch ya toes. Wallop, there five quid and it never even touched the sides.

Its better than being on Jim'll Fix It, would you like a badge ?

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Lukeyboy says...
4:13pm Tue 30 Oct 12

Im not one for pointing fingers but id say that Jeremy Beadle has probably had a small hand in this.....

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mouthalmighty says...
4:58pm Tue 30 Oct 12

No lukeyboy. Not on. But a charge of any price through blackwall tunnel is unthinkable. Our whole way of life, changed forever.

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Womblingbarnacle says...
5:45pm Tue 30 Oct 12

They should build a proper bridge at Thamesmead that was going ahead until Boris scrapped it in 2009. No congested tunnel or rubbish ferry at Thamesmead.

West London has about 15 crossings - all free. South/East London has 4 including tolled Dartford and a poor ferry.

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handymanchris says...
5:59pm Tue 30 Oct 12

Or how about use the money thats given away to foreign aid and benifits in this country to pay for it!

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highway warrior says...
11:31am Wed 31 Oct 12

Ridiculous, short sighted stupidity. The congestion caused by introducing tolls at the Blackwall would be horrendous. Basically they are forcing people to go all the way around the M25 as opposed to going the quickest route.
This wouldn't even be an issue if they made the Dartford crossing free!! Traffic would flow just fine!

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PaulErith says...
12:18pm Thu 1 Nov 12

It's already ridiculously expensive to drive. Seems unbelievable to add more tolls and charges, and as pointed out, the congestion will be awful.

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toomush2drink says...
8:28pm Thu 1 Nov 12

What a stupid idea, so anyone working across the river in essex or east london now has what option ? Ok i get it you pay to go via dartford or you pay to go via the blackwall tunnel ?

Not the brightest move by whoever thought up this idea.

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philipfrost says...
9:09pm Thu 1 Nov 12

Stupid ideas are always thought up by stupid people. It is a desperate attempt to generate extra revenue and thereby not have to make savings in a precious Government/Council department. It's the "I'm alright Jack" attitude that pervades the public sector in this country. Whoever dreamt up this scheme knows that commuters use the Blackwall & Dartford crossings out of necessity and not for fun. So clobber those that have to use the tunnel.!!

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Marty1979 says...
7:43pm Mon 5 Nov 12

All that will happen is drivers will use the Woolwich ferry or Rotherhithe tunnel - just moves congestion somewhere else

As I recall the PRIVATE consortium that built the Dartford bridge were given the running of the tunnel. They stated that once the cost of the bridge had been met (estimated 5 years) the tolls would be abolished

Bridge opened in 1991........

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