Efforts to fix the lift in a tunnel that connects two London boroughs across the River Thames are set to commence “soon.”
The northern lift of the Woolwich foot tunnel, which connects Old Woolwich in Greenwich to North Woolwich in Newham, has been non-operational since August 2022.
The repair, which will be funded equally by both boroughs, was initially projected to be finished by January 2025.
Newham councillor Sarah Ruiz, overseeing sustainable transport, expressed that the repairs are expected to be completed “sometime over the next year.”
The tunnel operates continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is utilized by around 300,000 pedestrians and cyclists annually.
Both the northern and southern entrances, constructed by the London County Council and opened in October 1912, are recognized as Grade II listed structures.
Responsibility for the maintenance of the 112-year-old tunnel is shared equally between the two councils.
However, as of July 3, an update to Greenwich council’s transport scrutiny panel indicated that the council was waiting for Newham to finalize an agreement.
The report stated that Greenwich was “currently awaiting a response from Newham regarding the Woolwich foot tunnel and the signing of a deed to adhere to the cost-sharing arrangement for maintenance of the tunnel components.”
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, neither council disclosed the reasons for the delay in signing the agreement or the start of the repair work, although both affirmed their commitment to sharing the costs.
A spokesperson for Greenwich council stated: “We have received assurances from Newham Council to split costs 50/50 in order to restore the lifts. We will soon provide updates on plans and timelines.”
Ms. Ruiz, representing Newham, commented: “We are happy to announce that repairs to the northern lift shaft should commence shortly.
“Both Newham and Greenwich are jointly covering the repair expenses, which are not included in the routine maintenance budget for the tunnel. We anticipate that the work will be completed within the next year.”
