TfL’s Silvertown Tunnel opens, offering new Thames crossing and faster public transport
- Perry Richardson
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
The new Silvertown Tunnel opened this morning, offering improved river crossing options in east London. The 1.4km twin-bore tunnel connects Newham with the Greenwich Peninsula, providing a long-awaited alternative to the frequently congested Blackwall Tunnel.
The project, delivered by Transport for London (TfL) and Riverlinx Limited, is expected to reduce journey times by up to 20 minutes during peak hours. Alongside the road link, a major boost in public transport has been introduced, increasing cross-river buses from six to 21 per hour. One of these is the new Superloop 4, which for the first time connects south-east London to Canary Wharf.
The Superloop 4 will run every eight minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes during the day on weekends. Buses come fitted with USB charging points, designated priority seating, high-backed seats, wood-style flooring, and upgraded information screens.
All cross-river buses using the Silvertown Tunnel, including routes 108, 129 and Superloop 4, will be free for pay as you go users for at least 12 months. A new cycle shuttle service, also free for a year, will help cyclists cross safely. Operating every 12 minutes between 6.30am and 9.30pm, it connects Royal Victoria DLR and Millennium Way, with cycle maps available at both stops.
The Blackwall Tunnel, built in the Victorian era, currently suffers over 700 closures a year, causing long delays and poor air quality. The Silvertown Tunnel aims to ease this pressure, improve reliability and support economic growth in the area.
To fund the scheme and manage demand, a user charge now applies for both tunnels from 6am to 10pm daily. Various discounts are available, including a 50 per cent reduction for low-income residents nearby. NHS staff and patients, Blue Badge holders, and all taxis registered with TfL will not be charged.
More than 2.7 million vehicles are signed up to TfL Auto Pay, which provides automatic payments and access to cheaper off-peak rates. Peak charges apply northbound between 6am and 10pm, and southbound between 4pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday. Drivers not signed up to Auto Pay will pay peak charges at all times.
Additional public transport concessions include refunds on DLR journeys between Greenwich and Island Gardens and between Woolwich Arsenal and King George V. The tunnel is expected to support planned regeneration in east London and can accommodate more bus routes in future.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: "The new Silvertown Tunnel will transform travel in the South and East of our city, particularly across the River Thames, and will help to address the chronic congestion and poor air quality around Blackwall Tunnel. The new tunnel will reduce journey times, help to manage pollution levels and improve cross-river public transport.
"The original plans for the Silvertown Tunnel were developed by the previous Mayor of London in 2012. We made a series of significant improvements to make the scheme greener and to include a package of measures to support Londoners, local residents and businesses. This includes ensuring there are discounts and concessions in place, reserving a lane for double-decker buses, a free innovative cycle-shuttle service and free bus travel for pedestrians, which will encourage more people to switch to greener modes of transport."
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: "The new Silvertown Tunnel is vital to supporting growth in east and southeast London and boosting cross-river bus services and I want to thank all the engineers, construction workers, designers and others who have worked so hard over the years to deliver this project successfully on time and on budget.
"Supported by the user charges for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, the new tunnel will also help reduce congestion and associated air quality issues around the Blackwall Tunnel, making journeys faster and more reliable, with average journey time savings expected to be up to 20 minutes at peak times. We have worked hard to ensure that, alongside the user charge, there is a package of supporting measures for Londoners and businesses. These will ensure that the new tunnel delivers on its objectives of reducing congestion and providing resilience at the Blackwall Tunnel, while supporting local residents on low income, small businesses, sole traders and local charities."
