When do you have pay to use the Blackwall Tunnel and Silvertown Tunnel?

With the ULEZ charge expanding across all of Greater London, many motorists who drive in the capital are asking if the two-bore Blackwall Tunnel – which runs beneath the Thames to connect East London with the South East of the capital – will also face a charge in near future.

The same is also being asked about drivers using the new Silvertown Tunnel and Rotherhithe Tunnel. Here is what you need to know.

Will I have to pay to use the Blackwall Tunnel?  (Credit: Mutney, via Wikimedia Commons via Creative Commons)

Will I have to pay for for using the Blackwall Tunnel and Silvertown Tunnel?

Yes, a toll for the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels will be introduced from April 2025 - when the Silvertown tunnel opens. The Silvertown Tunnel is a new tunnel running under the Thames linking Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula in East London.

How much will the tolls be?

Here is how much drivers will be charged for using the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels. Please take extra care to take notice the peak times are different for direction of travel.

Vehicle Type	Standard Off-Peak Charge (Auto Pay)	Peak Charge (Auto Pay)	Charge via Other Channels (All Times)
Motorcycle, Moped, Motor Tricycle	£1.50	£2.50	£2.50
Car and Small Van	£1.50	£4.00	£4.00
Large Van	£2.50	£6.50	£6.50
Heavy Goods Vehicles	£5.00	£10.00	£10.00

Additional Information:

• Peak Charges (Monday–Friday):
  • Northbound: 06:00 - 10:00
  • Southbound: 16:00 - 19:00
• Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for non-payment: £180 (Reduced to £90 if paid within two weeks; maximum one PCN per day).
• Please note: Off-peak charges only apply to Auto Pay-registered vehicles. See below for more information.

When are peak and off-peak charges applied and when are the tunnels free to use?

A peak charge will be in place during the busiest periods - northbound from 06:00 to 10:00 and southbound from 16:00 to 19:00 on weekdays. An off-peak charge will apply at all other times, including the entire weekend, for customers registered with Auto Pay. The tunnels will be free to use overnight between 22:00 and 06:00. 

Only Auto Pay-registered vehicles will be charged off-peak charges. See lower down for more information.

When will the toll be active?

The toll will be active from 6am until 10pm. This will be in line with other crossings, such as the Dartford Crossing and upcoming Silvertown Tunnel.

Additionally, the ULEZ charge will apply as normal for drivers using the Blackwall Tunnel.

When will charging for the Blackwall Tunnel and Silvertown Tunnel start?

Drivers will have to pay to use the tunnels, during chargeable hours, from 7 April 2025.

Will the charges be for both directions?

Yes, drivers will need to pay the charge, when applicable, when driving from north to south and from south to north.

Why drivers must register with Auto Pay to benefit from off-peak charges

It's important to know that drivers using the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels will only benefit from off-peak charges if they register their vehicle with TfL's Auto Pay system. For example, a non-registered car will need to pay £4.00 per trip compared with an Auto Pay-registered vehicle that will pay just £1.50. 

Drivers should also be aware that the vehicle is registered with Auto Pay and not the driver, so each car that you, or your company uses to travel through the tunnels, must be registered.

You can register vehicles with Autopay here to ensure you benefit from off-peak charges.

How to pay for using the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels if not Auto Pay-registered

If your vehicle is not registered with Auto Pay, you can pay the tunnel charges using the following methods: 

Important - If you use any of the following payment methods, the peak rate will apply at all times:

• Pay online - head here to pay online https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/pay-to-drive-in-london 
• Mobile app: Download the official TfL Pay to Drive in London app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
• Pay by phone:
  • UK: 0343 222 2222 (call charges may apply)
  • International: +44 343 222 2222
  • Textphone: 020 7649 9123 (for users with hearing impairments)

Any plans to charge tolls on Tower Bridge and the Rotherhithe Tunnel?

With charges planned for the Blackwall Tunnel and Silvertown Tunnel, along with current charges in place at the Dartford Crossing, motorists in London are concerned that Tower Bridge and the Rotherhithe Tunnel will also be tolled – as they are the only other fixed crossings in the East London and South East London area.

However a TfL spokesperson said that aside from the Blackwall Tunnel and Silvertown Tunnel, “there are no proposals to introduce any user charges to river crossings in east London (with the exception being the proposed Lower Thames Crossing which is a National Highways scheme)”.

There are concerns though that as the only free crossing points, the Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge will be subjected to additional congestion.

Why is a toll being introduced?

The toll is being introduced to help pay for the Silvertown tunnel, which is costing £2 billion to build. The toll is also expected to help reduce congestion on the Blackwall Tunnel.

However, there are claims that the Silvertown will not achieve its goal of reducing traffic. Objections include:

• The tunnel will create new traffic. The Silvertown Tunnel will provide a new route for drivers to cross the River Thames, which could lead to more people driving in the area.
• The tunnel will be too expensive. The toll for the Silvertown Tunnel is expected to be £4 for cars, which is more than the tolls for other tunnels in London. This could deter some people from using the tunnel, which could lead to more traffic on other roads.
• The tunnel will not be effective at reducing congestion. Critics argue that the Silvertown Tunnel will simply shift traffic from one area to another, and that it will not do anything to reduce the overall number of vehicles on the road.
• The tunnel will have a negative impact on the environment. The Silvertown Tunnel will increase air pollution in the area, and it will also contribute to climate change.

Is there any opposition to the toll?

Yes. Some people believe that it is unfair to charge drivers to use a public road. Others believe that the toll will not be effective at reducing congestion. Additionally, some environmental groups have criticised the toll, arguing that it will encourage more people to drive, which will increase air pollution.

What are the other charges for drivers in London?

The other charges for drivers in London include the congestion charge and the ULEZ charge. The congestion charge is £15 per day to drive in central London. The ULEZ charge is £12.50 per day for vehicles that do not meet certain emissions standards.

How have drivers reacted to the new charges?

Some drivers have reacted angrily to the new charges. There have been a number of attacks on Ulez cameras. However, many drivers have also accepted the need for the charges in order to reduce congestion and improve air quality.

What has Transport for London said about the new charges?

Transport for London has said that the new charges are necessary to improve transport in London. They have also said that the charges will be fair and that there will be concessions for certain groups of people, such as residents of the Silvertown Tunnel area.

Is there any evidence that tolls can reduce congestion?

Yes, there is some evidence that tolls can reduce congestion. For example, a study by the University of California, Berkeley found that the introduction of a toll on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco reduced traffic by 15%.

What are the potential benefits of the Silvertown Tunnel toll?

The potential benefits of the Silvertown Tunnel toll include:

• Reduced congestion for the Blackwall Tunnel and other roads in the area
• Improved air quality
• Funding for the construction and maintenance of the Silvertown Tunnel
• Reduced emissions from vehicles

What are the potential drawbacks of the Silvertown Tunnel toll?

The potential drawbacks of the Silvertown Tunnel toll include:

• Increased costs for drivers
• Reduced access to jobs and other opportunities for people who live in the area due to charges
• Increased traffic on other roads such as those around the Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge.
• Unfair impact on low-income drivers

What are the alternatives to the Silvertown Tunnel toll?

The alternatives to the Silvertown Tunnel toll include:

• Public investment in public transport
• Congestion pricing in other parts of London
• Vehicle restrictions in certain areas
• Road pricing for all vehicles

Conclusion

The introduction of a toll for the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels is a controversial topic. There are both potential benefits and drawbacks to the toll. It is important to weigh all of the factors carefully before making a decision about whether or not to introduce the toll.

In addition to the information above, here are some other things to consider:

• The Silvertown Tunnel is expected to open in 2025. This means that there is still time to consider alternatives to the toll.
• Transport for London has said that they are open to feedback on the toll. This means that drivers and other stakeholders have an opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions.
• It is important to note that the toll is not yet finalised. The final charges and other details of the toll will be announced closer to the opening date of the Silvertown Tunnel.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to introduce a toll for the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels is a complex one. There are a number of factors to consider, including the potential benefits and drawbacks of the toll, the alternatives to the toll, and the feedback from drivers and other stakeholders.

Political factors may also play a part with the London Mayoral election taking place in 2024, many people see the current Mayor Sadiq Khan as anti-car, while Conservatives has come out as more sympathetic to motorists – so the result could see tolls blocked or reduced.

 

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