The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has asked the government to consider a low-income residents’ discount for those using the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels.

TfL previously announced that the currently free Blackwall Tunnel will soon have a toll fee in the next couple of years.

The draft road signs by Transport for London suggest both tunnels will be tolled from 6am to 10pm, with costs given of £3 for motorcyclists, £4 for cars, and £8.50 for other vehicles for each crossing.

This is due to the infrastructure of the Silvertown Tunnel, which will link Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula in east London.

Sadiq Khan has written a letter to the Transport Secretary, asking for the “exploration of options” to support the lowest income families who will be using the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels.

According to the BBC, these areas include Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Greenwich.

Once the Silvertown Tunnel opens, drivers must pay a user charge for using either the Blackwall or the Silvertown Tunnel.

The exact charge levels for various types of vehicles using the new tunnel will be decided closer to the opening date.

The Mayor of London said on Twitter: “My letter to the Transport Secretary on Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels.

“I've asked that exploration of options to support the lowest income families, while maintaining the traffic & environment benefits of the scheme, do not impact any future TfL funding discussions.”

The BBC reports that a spokesperson for the mayor said the tunnels were “vital” for the future of east London, specifically for traffic which affects businesses and people.

The Blackwall Tunnel comprises two road tunnels that travel beneath the River Thames, linking Greenwich and Tower Hamlets Initially built as one passage in 1897, the second tunnel was built in 1967 to help control traffic in the area.

As it stands, the tunnel serves as one of the only passage points in the vicinity.

The Dartford Crossing and the Woolwich Ferry, positioned to the east, are the only alternatives in the area.