A date has been set for the much-anticipated Silvertown Tunnel, which will link the Greenwich Peninsula to east London.
Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed the tunnel will open on 7 April 2025.
First proposed in 2012, the tunnel aims to ease congestion, provide faster and more reliable journeys, and improve air quality around the Blackwall Tunnel. It will also introduce new public transport options and cycle connections, enhancing travel in the area.
Commuters could save up to 20 minutes on journey times during peak hours. To manage traffic and recover construction costs, user charges will apply at both the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels.
For instance, off-peak charges will be £1.50 for cars, motorcycles, and small vans, while peak-time fees will range from £2.50 to £4.00. Larger vehicles, such as heavy goods lorries, could pay up to £10. The tunnel will be toll-free overnight, starting at 10 pm.
To complement the opening, new bus routes will also launch on 7 April. These services, including the Superloop 4 (SL4) between Canary Wharf and Grove Park, will initially be free for at least a year. The number of buses crossing the river will increase significantly, from six per hour to 21, with all vehicles producing zero tailpipe emissions.
Construction on the Silvertown Tunnel is nearing completion, with final preparations and operational testing underway. Infrastructure to support the zero-emission buses, as well as a cycle-shuttle service under the Thames, is being installed.
Maps showing local cycling routes will be available at bus shelters to help with journey planning and promote active travel. Recent upgrades to Tidal Basin Roundabout, along with new walking and cycling paths, have already been completed.
Improvements to Lower Lea Crossing for all road users are expected to be finished by spring 2025.
Maps showing local cycle routes will also be on display at shelters to help with journey planning and encourage further journeys by cycle.
Work on Tidal Basin Roundabout, together with new walking and cycling routes around the roundabout and along Dock Road has also recently been completed, with work on improving Lower Lea Crossing for all road users currently underway and due to be complete by the end of spring 2025.