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The Silvertown Tunnel, London’s first sub-Thames road tunnel in 30 years, was announced way back in 2012. Construction began in spring 2021, we got a sneak peek in spring 2024, the toll fee was confirmed last November and now, finally, we have a planned opening date.
Today (January 6) TfL has revealed that it plans to open the Silvertown Tunnel to the public on Monday, April 7 2025. Construction work and testing are apparently now ‘sufficiently complete’ to announce an opening date.
The 1.4-kilometre tunnel in east London will link Newham on the north side of the Thames with the Greenwich Peninsula on the south. TfL says the Silvertown will make journeys ‘faster and more reliable’, as well as reduce journey times by up to 20 minutes during peak periods.
Once the tunnel is open, buses will operate through it and a special shuttle will run for cyclists. It’ll also be subject to a toll – as will the Blackwall Tunnel.
Silvertown Tunnel route and map
Here’s where the tunnel goes from and to, as well as the cycle shuttle routes.
Toll fee: amount and exemptions
As soon as the Silvertown Tunnel opens on April 7, it will be subject to a toll fee – and so will the Blackwall Tunnel.
During peak hours, which are 6am to 10am northbound and 4pm to 7pm southbound on weekdays, car and small van drivers will be charged £4 each way.
During off-peak hours, which are at other times and weekends, these drivers will be charged £1.50 each way. At night, between 10pm and 6am, there will be no toll fee.
Fees change slightly for different vehicles, and there are exemptions and discounts. Find out everything you need to know about the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels’ new toll fees here.
Cycle shuttle
The Silvertown Tunnel’s shuttle for cyclists will run every 12 minutes from 6.30am to 9.30pm. It’ll have two stops: the ‘north’ one is on Seagull Lane close to Royal Victoria DLR station, and the ‘south’ one is on Millennium Way.
Buses
There will be 21 buses in each direction per hour during peak times, and they’ll all be free for at least a year after the tunnel has opened. A new Superloop bus (SL4) will also launch between Canary Wharf and Grove Park.
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