The newly inaugurated Silvertown Tunnel, valued at £2.2 billion, extends nearly a mile (1.4 km) beneath the Thames, connecting Greenwich and Newham adjacent to the Blackwall Tunnel.

Originally unveiled in 2012, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan reassessed the project upon taking office, asserting its significance as a crucial connection across the Thames for eastern London.

Now operational, both tunnels require drivers to pay a toll—set at £4 during peak hours for cars traveling through.

Who are the toll payers, and what has generated ongoing debate regarding the tunnel?

The mayor and Transport for London (TfL) believe that the new tunnel will ease congestion and traffic jams at the historic Blackwall Tunnel, which experiences closures 700 times annually.

They argue that the imposed tolls will help regulate the volume of users and curb rising congestion and pollution levels.

Financed through private loans, the tolls will repay the investment over a span of 25 years.

This marks a significant shift for eastern London, being the first instance of road access charges introduced since the congestion charge in 2003.

Currently, about 100,000 vehicles utilize the Blackwall Tunnel daily.

While some individuals will be exempt from the tolls, such as Blue Badge holders and black cabs, most vehicles will incur charges for using either tunnel.

Residents from 12 eastern London boroughs with low incomes are eligible for a 50% discount, and small businesses can receive a £1 reduction on off-peak rates, though registration is necessary to access these discounts.

Importantly, off-peak rates only apply to those enrolled in the TfL Autopay system.

Strong opposition has arisen from those concerned that expanding road capacity will exacerbate congestion and pollution issues.

Certain residents fear that the free nighttime access to the Silvertown Tunnel will attract heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) through Greenwich and Newham—particularly since larger HGVs can use the bus lane in the new tunnel, whereas they are prohibited from the Blackwall Tunnel.

Local councils argue that the toll system creates a “two-tier” London, where the eastern region faces a disproportionate number of toll crossings compared to the west.

Critics also claim the tunnel contradicts the mayor’s environmental commitments, with apprehensions that future mayors might eliminate the toll entirely, leading to greater pollution.

In response, the mayor has implemented free bus services, a fully-refunded Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and a complimentary bus for cyclists to promote public transport use.

TfL has indicated it will keep an eye on pollution levels and emphasized that the tolls should prevent a significant rise in HGV traffic.

Drivers are required to pay within three days following their tunnel usage.

Peak travel times generally occur in the morning for northbound traffic and in the afternoon for southbound traffic.

Payments can be made online or via telephone, but signing up for TfL Autopay is encouraged.

Failure to pay the user charge may result in a £180 fine; however, a single fine will be issued per day for non-payment. TfL has stated that it “reserves the right” to provide a warning instead of a Penalty Charge Notice for initial offenses.