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The opening of London’s glitzy new Silvertown tunnel has seen its fair share of controversies, from concerns about air pollution and risk to the heritage of Tower Bridge to outcry over the tunnel’s toll charge. The capital’s first new cross-Thames road tunnel in 30 years, however, has also already had plenty of benefits (and we’re not talking about easing Blackwall tunnel traffic congestion, which the crossing was built to do).
The Silvertown tunnel officially opened this week, and with that three London bus routes are being made free for a year and a ‘bike bus’ through the tunnel is also operating free of charge. But there’s also yet another Silvertown-related freebie now on offer on the DLR.
Two sections of the Docklands Light Railway are now free to ride, and will be for at least a year. Those sections are between Greenwich or Cutty Sark and Island Gardens, and between Woolwich Arsenal and King George V.
Both DLR routes cross the river, with Greenwich/Cutty Sark to Island Gardens linking the Isle of Dogs and Greenwich, and Woolwich Arsenal-King George V serving Woolwich and London City Airport further east.
TIME OUT’S GUIDE TO THE SILVERTOWN TUNNEL
📍 Where is the Silvertown tunnel?
💷 How much the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnel toll charges cost.
🚗 Who’s eligible for discounts and exemptions from the toll.
So, how does the refund work? You still need to tap in and out, but your journey will be refunded. TfL says the free DLR journeys between these stations will be in place for ‘at least’ a year.
It should be noted that if you are planning to make the most of the free DLR rides, you’ve only got a limited time to do so from Cutty Sark station. The stop, which is closer to Greenwich’s main attractions than Greenwich DLR, will shut in May until next spring. The Greenwich-Island Gardens freebie will still be available after the closure.
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