Silvertown Tunnel opening set for 7th April as southeast London gears up
Years of plans, arguments and diversions later, the long-discussed Silvertown Tunnel opening is finally upon us. Starting Monday 7th April, Londoners will be able to drive through the capital’s first new sub-Thames road tunnel in over three decades. Whether it’s a cause for celebration or concern depends on who you ask – but there’s no denying it’s a major moment for southeast London.
First proposed in the early 2000s, the Silvertown Tunnel has taken the best part of 20 years to move from idea to reality. It’s a 1.4km stretch of road linking west Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula, constructed to ease chronic congestion at the nearby Blackwall Tunnel. According to Transport for London, it will also support a shift towards cleaner vehicles, with the tunnel being subject to a toll system aimed at managing traffic flow and encouraging off-peak travel.
Charges will vary depending on time of day. At peak times, drivers can expect to pay £4 each way, while off-peak users will pay £1.50. Residents from 13 neighbouring boroughs are eligible for a 50% discount, easing the load for those living closest to the new route. Full pricing details are available on TfL’s website.
The Location Map
That said, not everyone is sold. Environmental campaigners continue to raise the alarm, arguing the Silvertown Tunnel will increase road usage rather than reduce it. Air pollution, they warn, may worsen in certain pockets of southeast London despite electric vehicle incentives. The true impact will only become clear with time. Still, TfL insists that traffic modelling shows a net benefit across both tunnels.
For those getting around without a car, there’s some good news. Cyclists will have access to a bike shuttle bus, free for at least the first year, and three local bus routes using the tunnel will also be free to ride for 12 months. In addition, select DLR cross-river journeys will be reimbursed for passengers during the initial period, including the stretch from Greenwich to Island Gardens and Woolwich Arsenal to King George V.
As it stands, pedestrians won’t be allowed through the Silvertown Tunnel, so it’s not one for an afternoon stroll. But for regular drivers in east and southeast London, it could bring welcome relief to daily commutes. Whether that relief is short-lived or long-term remains to be seen.
If it succeeds, the project may serve as a model for future infrastructure aimed at tackling some of London’s most persistent transport issues. If not, it risks becoming yet another costly mistake buried beneath the Thames. Either way, the tunnel’s arrival is a significant moment in the capital’s urban evolution and one that many Londoners will experience first-hand in the days ahead.
For more updates on the Silvertown Tunnel opening and insights into how it affects your daily journey, visit EyeOnLondon.
[Image Credit: New Civil Engineer]
Follow us on:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!
We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!
