A new London tunnel that is due to open next week will be a “game changer” for the capital’s traffic. The Silvertown Tunnel will link North Greenwich with Canning Town and the Royal Docks and it is hoped that the revenue it generates will fund improvements in public transport across the city.
Costing £2.2 billion, the tunnel is expected to generate more than £100 million a year, set to be paid off over the first quarter of a century of the tunnel’s life. David Rowe, TfL’s director of investment planning, said: “The first thing we will be doing is repaying the cost of the tunnel. It’s a PFI-type scheme. We repay those costs over 25 years. Any other amounts left over will be reinvested in transport in London. We have got exciting future plans for the DLR to Thamesmead, which we are really keen to take forward.”
He added that it would prove to be a “game changer” for cross-river bus connections linking the two areas of London.
Mr Rowe said: ““We can support more trips, but we are not supporting new traffic – the user charge is an important part of managing traffic to ensure we don’t attract more cars into this part of London.”
The genesis of the tunnel happened under Boris Johnson, with plans amended by Sir Sadiq Khan after taking over as London Mayor and facing pressure from campaigners and some Labour councils.
Those opposed to the tunnel argue that it will lead to increased traffic rather than sharing the load of those who travel through the congested Blackwall tunnel.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential for accidents on the south side of the river at a point where two tunnels merge.
East London has historically had fewer tunnels providing access over the river Thames than West London due to a host of reasons, including demography and issues around shipping.
Mr Rowe said: “For many decades, east London has been plagued by the Blackwall [tunnel] being unreliable.
“The Silvertown resolves those issues. It provides an alternative to Blackwall to take away the queuing and the environmental and economic impacts that queuing has, and provides a reliable alternative when we do need to close Blackwall.
The tunnel will cost users £4 to use in peak time and £1.50 off-peak. There will be no charge between 10pm and 6am.
Approximately 25,000 vehicle journeys are expected each day, with £180 penalty fines for drivers who fail to pay.
The Silvertown Tunnel opens on Monday, April 7.
