Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges to rise
Drivers will pay more from 21 September as peak charges for cars increase by 5%.
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The cost of driving through the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels will increase from Monday 21 September. Transport for London (TfL) announced the changes, which will see peak charges for cars and small vans rise by 5%.
Weekday peak charges, applying between 06:00-10:00 northbound and 16:00-19:00 southbound, will go up from £4 to £4.20. Off-peak charges for these vehicles will increase by 5p to £1.55.
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Heavy goods vehicles will also face a 5% increase in charges. These will be £5.25 each way for off-peak journeys and £10.50 at peak times. Charges apply seven days a week between 06:00 and 22:00.
Large vans will now pay £6.80 at peak times, an increase from £6.50, and £2.60 at off-peak times, a rise of 10p. These charges cover the crossings between the Greenwich Peninsula and Newham.
TfL's justification for charges
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TfL stated that the Silvertown Tunnel has helped to reduce journey times, improved reliability through both tunnels, eased congestion, and made peak-time journeys faster. Christina Calderato, director of strategy at TfL, said the charges are designed to manage traffic demand.
Calderato explained that without the user charge, there would be more traffic and congestion, negatively impacting air quality and journey times. She added that a small increase to account for inflation ensures the charge remains effective in managing demand and achieving project objectives.
Critics have suggested that the tunnel has diverted traffic to other crossings, such as the Woolwich Ferry, rather than solving congestion. A TfL report indicated that while pollution and journey times fell around the Blackwall Tunnel, journey times at the Rotherhithe Tunnel rose by 3% on weekdays.
The Blackwall Tunnel was toll-free from its construction in 1897 until the Silvertown Tunnel opened in April 2025. TfL repaid £67m in toll revenue for the last financial year under the Private Finance Initiative funding the construction.
Questions this report answers
+How much will the peak charges for cars go up by?
Peak charges for cars and small vans will rise by 5%, increasing from £4 to £4.20. This change starts on Monday 21 September and applies between 06:00-10:00 northbound and 16:00-19:00 southbound.
+What are the new off-peak charges for heavy goods vehicles?
Off-peak charges for heavy goods vehicles will increase by 5% to £5.25 each way. These charges apply seven days a week between 06:00 and 22:00, covering journeys through the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels.
+Why are the tunnel charges increasing?
Transport for London states the increase accounts for inflation and ensures the charge remains effective in managing traffic demand. Without the charge, more traffic and congestion would negatively impact air quality and journey times.
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