Commuters driving into London are warned they could be paying “£35 to £40” to get to work each day.
From Monday, April 7, Blackwall Tunnel will be introducing tolls for the first time in 130 years.
This is the same day the nearby Silvertown tunnel will be opening.
While the tolls for both tunnels are £1.50 off-peak and £4 per crossing at peak times, Tory MP Louie French warned that some drivers would have to pay the tunnel toll, the £12.50 ultra-low emission zone levy and the £15 congestion charge if they entered central London in a Ulez-non-compliant vehicle.
The toll is even more for large vans who will pay £6.50 at peak times.
The MP has created a petition calling on London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, to scrap the Blackwall tunnel toll.
In the petition, he said: “The Blackwall Toll is the latest anti-motorist policy being launched by Sadiq Khan and will be in addition to the £12.50 ULEZ daily charge millions of drivers in Greater London and surrounding counties are now facing.
“For example, these plans could see large van drivers from South East London paying over £40 per day to work in Central London from 2025 before they have even bought fuel or paid for parking.”
Mr French estimated there are currently 100,000 journeys through the Blackwall Tunnel each day, which are currently free.
According to Mr French, some drivers may opt for alternative routes, such as the Rotherhithe Tunnel or the Dartford Crossing on the M25 motorway.
He predicts that these options will only lead to increased congestion, especially as the Rotherhithe Tunnel remains toll-free for now.
“The likelihood is that many of these 100,000 drivers will look to use other crossings like the Rotherhithe Tunnel, which is currently free, and the Dartford Crossing, which is cheaper,” he said.
“But it seems only a matter of time before TfL and Sadiq Khan look to introduce a toll on the Rotherhithe crossing as well. The congestion nightmare is only just beginning.”
While the tolls at Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels are set to raise costs for commuters, Transport for London (TfL) has argued that the new charges are necessary to alleviate traffic congestion and improve air quality.
A TfL spokesperson noted that the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel will make journeys “faster and more reliable,” shaving up to 20 minutes off peak-time journeys.
“Due to the proximity of the tunnels to each other, without the introduction of a user charge at both tunnels, there would likely be high levels of traffic and congestion which would lead to detrimental air quality impacts, as well as longer journey times,” they said.
“To help residents and businesses, a wide range of concessions and discounts will be available, including a 50 per cent discount which would be available for low-income residents in surrounding areas.
“The Rotherhithe tunnel and Woolwich ferry will also still allow drivers to cross the river in east London without paying a user charge and buses using both crossings will be free for at least the first year.”