The cost of driving through the new Silvertown tunnel has been revealed by Transport for London.
It says that – as expected – the peak hours toll will be £4 and the off-peak rate £1.50.
The same tolls will be levied on the Blackwall tunnel.
This has already led to protests as the Blackwall tunnel – which is used by many thousands of motorists a day and links the A2 in south London with the A12 in east London – has been free to use since opening in 1897.
The tolls will apply from 6am to 10pm, seven days a week.
Peak hours will be limited to weekdays - for fours in the morning, from 6am to 10am, for traffic heading north, and for three hours in the evening, from 4pm to 7pm, for traffic heading south.
However, drivers will only qualify for the £1,50 rate if they sign up to TfL’s “auto pay” scheme that automatically debits the levy from their bank account.
Those that fail to sign up will have to pay the peak rate at all times when charging applies.
Small vans will be charged the same as cars.
TfL has yet to announce a date for the opening of the new tunnel, which will link North Greenwich with Canning Town and the Royal Docks, other than saying it is expected to open in the first three months of 2025.
TfL says the charges should make peak journeys up to 20 minutes quicker.
At present, drivers often get stuck in queues to enter the tunnel, particularly those heading north.
The tolls are due to be rubber stamped by the TfL board, chaired by Mr Khan, early next month.
Mr 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.”
Christina Calderato, director of strategy at TfL, said: "As we prepare for the opening of Silvertown Tunnel in the Spring and following public consultation, which saw more than 5,000 responses, we are now asking the TfL Board to make a final decision on the charges, discounts and exemptions for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels.
“If we did not introduce these, there would likely be high levels of traffic and congestion, which would lead to detrimental air quality impacts, as well as longer journey times.
"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, while ensuring we support local residents on low income, small businesses, sole traders and local charities.
“Once confirmed, we will carry out a major marketing campaign to encourage drivers to sign up to TfL AutoPay, ensuring Londoners can benefit from the off-peak discounts from launch. "
TfL proposed a series of charges in a public consultation in July. This was primarily aimed at securing feedback on discounts for motorists living close to the tunnel in east and south-east London, rather than providing a forum for opposition to the wider scheme.
The consultation proposed that car drivers should pay £1.50 per crossing between 6am and 10pm, seven days a week, and £4 at peak times on weekdays, depending on their direction of travel.
However there were concerns that the £1.50 rate would be £1 cheaper than the £2.50 charged for the Dartford crossing – raising the possibility that traffic could divert through south-east and east London in preference to remaining on the M25.
The only change that has been made in light of the consultation is to the rules around electric vans, to ensure that they are not charged more due to their weight placing them in a higher user charge category. In addition, the discount for borough refuse vehicles is being expanded to cover all east London boroughs.
See here for full details of the background to the tolls - and how you can avoid paying them.
The twin-bore Silvertown tunnel has been built under a £2bn PFI scheme, with the toll revenues required to pay the annual charges.
First proposed during Boris Johnson’s time as mayor, the Silvertown scheme was retained – but modified - by Sadiq Khan despite determined protests from clean air campaigners and the opposition of Labour-run councils including Newham and Greenwich.
Last month TfL revealed plans to create a fleet of “bike buses” to transport cyclists through the Silvertown tunnel.
This will be the only way for cyclists to use the tunnel as riding a bike is banned in both the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels.
