Felix Reeves
Guest Reporter
Drivers will soon be made aware of new charges being rolled out as part of the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels scheme as Mayor Sadiq Khan praises the developments to cut congestion.
Transport for London has announced that it will decide on a package of initial charges, discounts and exemptions at a meeting on Wednesday, December 4, following a consultation.
The proposals will see a user charge introduced for motorists using the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels between 6am and 10pm, seven days a week.
It will also see an off-peak rate of £1.50 for cars, motorcycles and small vans would apply the majority of the time, for vehicles registered for TfL AutoPay.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
During peak hours, motorcycle riders would pay £1 more than standard off-peak charges, while cars and small vans would pay £2.50 extra between 6am and 10am and 4pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday, or for anyone not using TfL AutoPay.
TfL said it building the tunnels to deal with "chronic congestion" in the area around the Blackwall Tunnel, which suffers more than 700 closures a year, leading to tailbacks, poor air quality and millions of hours lost in traffic.
The tunnel will link Silvertown in east London to the Greenwich Peninsula and cut journeys by up to 20 minutes while allowing 21 buses an hour to make the journey, a significant upgrade compared to the six crossings currently.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "Londoners face chronic traffic congestion on the approaches to the Blackwall Tunnel, which was never designed for the levels of traffic now crossing the river in east London.
"The new Silvertown tunnel will ease congestion for drivers, reduce journey times and help manage air pollution.
"TfL's proposed package of concessions, exemptions and discounts will support Londoners in a variety of ways, including those on the lowest incomes, and help local residents take full advantage of the new bus and cycle connections."
As part of the consultation, TfL will offer a range of concessions including a 50 per cent discount for low-income residents in 12 east and southeast London boroughs and the City of London.
All buses, coaches and vehicles with nine seats or more registered with the DVLA would automatically be exempt from Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnel charges.
READ MORE: Nigel Farage just issued stern warning over China but is it valid?
Only one Penalty Charge Notice for non-payment of user charges, set at £180 would be issued per day irrespective of the number of unpaid trips made in the vehicle on that day. This would be reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
In total, TfL received 5,461 responses to the consultation, with members of the public, organised campaigns, local authorities, transport groups and businesses taking part.
The new measures will also see a major marketing campaign take place encouraging drivers to sign up for TfL AutoPay launching next year.
Christina Calderato, Director of Strategy at TfL, said if the charges are not introduced, there would be high levels of traffic and congestion, as well as longer journey times.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Electric car industry on knife edge amid warning of £6billion loss and 'jobs on the line'
- Electric vehicle targets expected to be slashed today after mass backlash from major car brands
- Vauxhall owner Stellantis to close Luton van factory and put 1,100 jobs at risk
She added: "These measures will manage traffic demand as well as the environmental impacts, and ensure the new tunnel delivers on its objectives of reducing congestion and providing resilience at the Blackwall Tunnel.
Calderato noted that TfL will ensure that it can support local residents on low-income, small businesses, sole traders and local charities.
Construction work on the new Silvertown Tunnel is now complete, with TfL and Riverlinx now working to ensure that all new safety systems are working.
TfL reported that work on the Tidal Basin Roundabout, along with new walking and cycling routes around the roundabout and along Dock Road, is also now nearly complete.
Find Out More...