From right this moment, drivers utilizing London’s Blackwall Tunnel must pay a toll.
The cost is being applied the identical day the brand new Silvertown Tunnel – which is able to hyperlink east London to southeast London – additionally opens to drivers.
For automotive drivers, a return journey at peak occasions will price £8, leaping as much as £13 for big vans.
Right here is every part you could know concerning the new tunnel, the tolls and the choice behind its implementation.
What’s the Silvertown Tunnel?
The 1.4km (slightly below one mile) lengthy tunnel stretches from Silvertown in Newham, east London, to the Greenwich Peninsula in southeast London.
It should run adjoining to the Victorian-era Blackwall Tunnel which takes drivers close to The O2 Area below the River Thames to the East India Dock Street (A13) in Blackwall.
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The route of the brand new Silvertown Tunnel. Pic: Transport for London
The venture, which has price £2.2bn, was authorized by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, having been first proposed again in 2012.
It’s being funded by means of personal finance and Transport for London (TfL) pays again £100m a 12 months by means of cash made on the toll.
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The tunnel boring machine at Royal Docks. Pic: PA
Why was it constructed?
Put merely, the Silvertown Tunnel goals to cut back congestion that at the moment builds up on the method to the Blackwall Tunnel – with TfL claiming it’ll shave 20 minutes off journeys.
The federal government physique says the Blackwall Tunnel was by no means designed to hold the degrees of site visitors it at the moment does, resulting in extra frequent incidents that trigger site visitors to tailback for miles and negatively impacting air high quality.
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Transport for London says the Blackwall Tunnel can not deal with the present quantity of congestion. Pic: PA
In addition to personal autos, round 21 buses will journey by means of the brand new tunnel each hour from 7am till 7pm Monday to Friday, which TfL has mentioned will assist to supply new routes for extra individuals.
A devoted bike bus shuttle service can even transport cyclists and their bikes throughout the river.
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A map exhibiting the bus routes by means of the Silvertown Tunnel. Pic: Transport for London
How a lot will it price and the way do you pay?
Prices will apply to each the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels. How a lot it prices depends upon what you’re driving and at what time.
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A normal view of the brand new Silvertown Tunnel. Pic: PA
Peak hours by means of the northbound tunnel (going in the direction of central London) will run from 6am to 10am Monday to Friday.
For the southbound tunnel (going away from central London) peak hours are 4pm till 7pm Monday to Friday.
All different occasions might be classed as off-peak, together with weekends.
Check out the desk beneath to see the total breakdown of prices.
Each tunnels might be open 24 hours a day, seven days every week.
The toll must be paid by cellphone or on-line. The TfL web site states the simplest strategy to pay is to make use of Auto Pay, which permits individuals to hyperlink their cost playing cards to an account that can robotically take cost.
From Monday, native residents will be capable to use cross-river bus routes totally free for a 12 months. Residents who’re on sure advantages and stay in native boroughs can even be eligible for a 50% low cost.
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Pic: PA
Why is it so controversial?
Ever for the reason that Silvertown Tunnel was given the inexperienced gentle, it has been met with criticism from opposition events and marketing campaign teams.
The Liberal Democrats have argued in opposition to the venture from the beginning, claiming Mr Khan hasn’t listened to environmental considerations.
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The tunnel might be prepared in 2025. Pic: PA
The get together says extra roads will result in extra individuals utilizing them, creating bottlenecks by means of areas together with Greenwich, Blackheath and Eltham.
Rob Blackie, who was the Lib Dem’s candidate for Mayor of London, beforehand mentioned: “The way to cut pollution and climate change is to encourage people to walk, bicycle and use public transport.
“This multi-billion pound venture, the Silvertown Tunnel, does precisely the alternative.”
Marketing campaign group Cease Silvertown Tunnel Coalition additionally argues the opening of the tunnel will improve congestion and emissions and impose a toll on Londoners to compensate for building prices.
However TfL maintains the venture will “help to reduce congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel, deliver faster journeys during peak times, help manage overall air quality and allow for better cross-river public transport”.
