The Silvertown Tunnel has been given the green light, providing a new twin-tunnel Thames crossing that will ease the burden on the nearby Blackwall Tunnel. Set to open in 2023, the tunnel was said to be “vital for the future prosperity of east London” by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. While the Blackwall Tunnel is currently free to use, charges will be introduced for both crossings, with different tariffs at peak and off-peak times.
Drivers often have to queue for 20 minutes or more to use the Blackwall Tunnel, while incidents and closures can see three-mile tailbacks build up in less than six minutes. According to Transport for London (TfL), the project will ‘help ease the current serious congestion’. Connecting the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks on the northern bank, the new tunnel is expected to be used by up to 37 buses an hour, as well as cars and commercial vehicles. It follows a similar route across the Thames to the Emirates Air Line cable car, and will join the A1020 up with the A102.
Contractors bidding for the construction project will have to transport at least 55 per cent of the materials via the river, use Euro-6 compliant construction vehicles and create around 150 local apprenticeships, jobs and educational opportunities, for them to be considered to work on the project.
