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Years and years of consultations, controversies and construction (and a whopping £2.2 billion) have finally led Londoners to this moment. The Silvertown Tunnel will finally be up and running in southeast London in just a matter of days.
Silvertown was first mooted in the early 2000s. The first public consultation happened in 2012, it got approval in 2018 and construction began in 2021. Now that it’s become a reality, it’ll be London’s first new sub-Thames tunnel in 30 years. Last year, we took a look inside.
TfL says that the structure will help reduce pollutions and ease congestion, taking pressure away from the nearby Blackwell Tunnel, although environmental campaigners argue that it’ll do that opposite and encourage more vehicles on the road. Well, we’ll have a better idea of its impact very soon. Here’s a reminder of everything you need to know ahead of the opening.
When will the Silvertown tunnel open?
The long-awaited road tunnel will officially come into service from Monday April 7.
How much will it cost?
TfL will need to charge drivers in order to pay for the maintenance of Silvertown tunnel but the fee will vary according to peak and off-peak times. The toll is £4 each way at peak times and £1.50 during off-peak. If you’re a resident in one of 13 surrounding boroughs, you’ll be eligible for a 50 percent discount. You can find a more detailed breakdown of all those costs here.
If you’re cycling through the Silvertown tunnel, you can use the bike shuttle bus, which will be free for at least the first year. And if you use one of the local buses that drive through, they’ll be completely free to ride for the next 12 months.
Location and map
The tunnel runs for 1.4km between west Silvertown and Greenwich Peninsula. Here’s exactly where it is.
Can you walk through the Silvertown tunnel?
Nope, walking (and cycling) through the tunnel is banned. The three bus routes that use the tunnel will initially be free, and the free bike shuttle bus will cater to cyclists.
On top of that, for at least a year certain cross-river DLR journeys will be free. These fares will be refunded.
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