Dangerous driving incidents have surged by a staggering 231 per cent on major bridges across London as traffic continues to be impacted by ongoing Blackwall Tunnel closures.
The closures follow final work getting underway on the new Silvertown Tunnel which is set to open this spring with new charges for drivers.
Now research has revealed widespread disruption to London's roads with thousands of vehicles being forced to find alternative routes through central London.
Commercial vehicles have been particularly affected, with lorries showing a dramatic 341 per cent increase in harsh braking events on Tower Bridge.
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In total reports found that more than 5,500 journeys were forced to take alternative routes through central London to avoid the Blackwall Tunnel closure.
These diverted journeys collectively covered 91,000 miles over the 12-month period, creating additional pressure on London's road network.
The data also showed significant disruption to traffic patterns, fuel usage, and road safety across the capital with huge surges in congestion.
Meanwhile, travel times on alternative routes have increased by 43 per cent as drivers continue to be impacted across the city.
The report detailed how Tower Bridge experienced an 18 per cent increase in average daily vehicle count due to the combined impact of Blackwall closures and Rotherhithe Tunnel restrictions.
But the increased traffic volume has led to concern for safety implications, particularly for commercial vehicles navigating the historic crossing.
To combat the traffic build-up, the new Silvertown Tunnel when open, hopes to alleviate pressure on London bridges as well as Blackwall Tunnel.
However, concerns are mounting about the impact of planned toll charges for both tunnels once construction is complete. Once open, tunnels will charge users £4 per journey during peak hours and £2.50 in off-peak hours.
Transport for London detailed: “The tunnel charges exist to help manage traffic levels across both tunnels, repay costs for building the new Silvertown Tunnel and its ongoing maintenance and operation.
“Once the Silvertown Tunnel opens, charges will apply to both the Blackwall Tunnel and the new Silvertown Tunnel. If you drive through either tunnel, you will need to pay each time you cross, unless you or your vehicle are exempt from paying the charge.”
Under the new charging structure drivers who fail to pay the toll could face a penalty of £180, although this can be reduced to £90 if paid within two weeks.
Aaron Jarvis, Associate Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Geotab, said: “We cannot say now whether the introduction of a toll to the Blackwall Tunnel for the first time since it opened in 1890 will continue the displacement of road traffic to these other areas.”
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He added: “These disruptions add significant challenges for commercial drivers who are under constant pressure to meet delivery schedules.
"The additional time spent in congestion not only increases operational costs but also contributes to increased driver stress, as they navigate unpredictable travel conditions".
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The closures follow final work getting underway on the new Silvertown Tunnel which is set to open this spring with new charges for drivers.
Now research has revealed widespread disruption to London's roads with thousands of vehicles being forced to find alternative routes through central London.
Commercial vehicles have been particularly affected, with lorries showing a dramatic 341 per cent increase in harsh braking events on Tower Bridge.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
In total reports found that more than 5,500 journeys were forced to take alternative routes through central London to avoid the Blackwall Tunnel closure.
These diverted journeys collectively covered 91,000 miles over the 12-month period, creating additional pressure on London's road network.
The data also showed significant disruption to traffic patterns, fuel usage, and road safety across the capital with huge surges in congestion.
Meanwhile, travel times on alternative routes have increased by 43 per cent as drivers continue to be impacted across the city.
The report detailed how Tower Bridge experienced an 18 per cent increase in average daily vehicle count due to the combined impact of Blackwall closures and Rotherhithe Tunnel restrictions.
But the increased traffic volume has led to concern for safety implications, particularly for commercial vehicles navigating the historic crossing.
To combat the traffic build-up, the new Silvertown Tunnel when open, hopes to alleviate pressure on London bridges as well as Blackwall Tunnel.
However, concerns are mounting about the impact of planned toll charges for both tunnels once construction is complete. Once open, tunnels will charge users £4 per journey during peak hours and £2.50 in off-peak hours.
Transport for London detailed: “The tunnel charges exist to help manage traffic levels across both tunnels, repay costs for building the new Silvertown Tunnel and its ongoing maintenance and operation.
“Once the Silvertown Tunnel opens, charges will apply to both the Blackwall Tunnel and the new Silvertown Tunnel. If you drive through either tunnel, you will need to pay each time you cross, unless you or your vehicle are exempt from paying the charge.”
Under the new charging structure drivers who fail to pay the toll could face a penalty of £180, although this can be reduced to £90 if paid within two weeks.
Aaron Jarvis, Associate Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Geotab, said: “We cannot say now whether the introduction of a toll to the Blackwall Tunnel for the first time since it opened in 1890 will continue the displacement of road traffic to these other areas.”
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He added: “These disruptions add significant challenges for commercial drivers who are under constant pressure to meet delivery schedules.
"The additional time spent in congestion not only increases operational costs but also contributes to increased driver stress, as they navigate unpredictable travel conditions".
Find Out More...