London’s first new road tunnel in over 30 years, the Silvertown Tunnel, has long been contentious, with Newham council and Greenwich council opposing the project. The idea behind the tunnel is to reduce congestion through the Blackwall Tunnel, which often suffers from heavy traffic.
However, campaigners are hoping to halt work on the tunnel because of concerns about traffic and air pollution.
Find out what you need to know about the Silvertown Tunnel below.
What is the Silvertown Tunnel?
The Silvertown Tunnel is a planned 0.9-mile tunnel under the River Thames linking the Royal Docks and the North Greenwich peninsula.
Permission for the tunnel was granted in May 2018, and a £1 billion contract was signed in 2019. Construction began in March 2021, with the aim of opening the tunnel in 2025. The southbound bore of the tunnel has been completed and work on the northbound bore is about to begin.
TfL said: “A modern tunnel combined with a user charge and improved cross-river public transport will improve the reliability and resilience of the wider road network.”
TfL says the tunnel “will help reduce chronic congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel and allow for better public transport links, including more cross-river bus journeys”.
TfL said the tunnel would “reduce the environmental impact of traffic congestion on some of London’s most polluted roads”.
To stop more vehicles from using those crossings, the plan is for both tunnels to have tolls, with HGVs potentially paying £7.50 a day. TfL modelling said there won’t be an increase in pollution or congestion if there are tolls.
Sadiq Khan has the power to introduce the levy, but this could always be reversed by a future Mayor of London.
Why are there protests against the Silvertown Tunnel?
Protesters believe that the tunnel will increase traffic and air pollution in London, and say tolls at Silvertown Tunnel and Blackwall Tunnel would deter motorists.
Instead of using the Dartford Crossing, larger HGVs will be able to use the tunnel – and there will be a bus lane. Campaigners said that will mean more HGVs going through Newham and Greenwich.
Victoria Rance, of Stop Silvertown Tunnel Coalition, told the BBC that the tunnel will increase carbon emissions and worsen air quality.
“It’s going to take 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles into Newham,” Ms Rance said.
“It’s going to attract new HGVs into Greenwich, past our schools and our kids and into Newham – the most polluted borough in the UK. “
Timi Jibogu, Greenwich member of Youth Parliament, also told the BBC: “[Sadiq Khan] is doing ULEZ to decrease pollution while doing the tunnel to increase [it].
“It’s very hypocritical of him and it’s really going to hurt young people in the area.”
