MILLIONS of drivers will need to fork out to use the nation’s newest tunnel – with some facing charges of up to £20 a day to cross through it.
The Silvertown Tunnel will finally open on April 7, 2024, but drivers will have to start paying to use from day one.
The Silvertown Tunnel has been under construction in London for over 10 years and will connect Greenwich Peninsula to Newham.
It is hoped that this will ease congestion on the neighbouring Blackwall Tunnel.
However, Transport For London (TFL) have confirmed that the new tunnel will not be free to use.
They added that a new charge is also being introduced for drivers using the Blackwall Tunnel.
Although some people may qualify for a discount or exemption, most drivers will pay a minimum of £1.50 to use each tunnel.
This payment rises and falls depending on the weight of your vehicle.
For example, motorbikes will have to pay £2.50 at peak times where HGVs will have to pay £10 at peak times.
Drivers will have to pay each time they use the tunnel, which means they could be charged several times a day.
Failure to pay the charge will result in a Penalty Charge Notice, worth up to £180.
That fine will be reduced to £90, if it is paid within 2 weeks.
TFL have advised drivers to use their Auto Pay service, which will allow drivers to be charged automatically instead of needing to log onto the website.
Although the tunnel will be open 24 hours a day, drivers will only need to pay between 6am and 10pm.
TFl have said that the payment is designed to limit congestion and to support the flow of traffic.
A 50% discount will be offered to drivers who claim benefits including Universal Credit, Carer’s Allowance and Income Support living in Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, City of London, Greenwich, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
A full exemption will be offered to Wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles and Blue Badge holders who are already registered for the ULEZ discount.
Several small businesses, sole traders and charities registered in Newham, Greenwich or Tower Hamlets are eligible for a £1 discount.
Also, free pay as you go fares will be offered to local residents, who travel between either Cutty Sark & Island Gardens or Woolwich Arsenal & King George V on the DLR.
Those residents will also receive free pay as you go fares on the new Superloop SL4 and route 129, which will go through the Silvertown Tunnel, and route 108 through the Blackwall Tunnel.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan previously said Silvertown Tunnel will ‘ease congestion for drivers, reduce journey times and help manage air pollution.’
Full list of Silvertown Tunnel payments
The new Silvertown Tunnel will connect Greenwich Peninsula and Newham, but drivers will be charged each time they use the tunnel.
The amount that you will need to pay depends on the weight of your vehicle and when you travel.
The full list of potential charges includes:
Motorcycle, moped, motor tricycle: £1.50 (Auto Pay off-peak), £2.50 (Auto Pay peak times), £2.50 (charges paid without Auto Pay)
Cars and small vans – £1.50 (Auto Pay off-peak), £4 (Auto Pay peak times), £4 (charges paid by phone or online)
Large vans – £2.50 (Auto Pay off-peak), £6.50 (Auto Pay peak times), £6.50 (charges paid by phone or online)
HGVs – £5 (Auto Pay off-peak), £10 (Auto Pay peak times), £10 (charges paid by phone or online)
Charges will apply from 6am until 10pm, 7 days a week.
However, travelling outside these hours will be free.
