Greenwich locals fear their roads will become clogged with ‘nightmare’ traffic following the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel, and a plan to make it toll-free at night has sparked concerns about the impact on people’s sleep. 

Residents have outlined their concerns on how exemptions to tolling for the new tunnel could attract more vehicles into the South London borough.

Transport for London (TfL) launched a consultation earlier this month on proposed charges for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels due to come into effect from spring next year.

Car drivers would be charged a maximum of £4 under the scheme for using the tunnels during peak times on weekdays, rising up to £10 for heavy goods vehicles.

However, TfL has claimed that the tunnels would be free to use overnight.

Local resident Fiona Moore said in a written question to Greenwich Council that she feared the lack of fees at night would make noise levels and pollution for residents living near the A102 worse, as more traffic could choose to use it in those hours.

Ms Moore said at a Greenwich Council meeting on July 24: “In the proposals, there would be no tolling of the tunnels at night so there’s quite some concern arising among residents who live either side of the A102 approach road that this could be a nightmare.”

The local also expressed concerns that the areas around the Silvertown Tunnel were already heavily polluted and traffic would struggle to ‘cram’ into the available roads in Greenwich.

Labour Councillor Averil Lekau, cabinet member for transport, said in her written response that the council was currently assessing the proposals put forward by TfL and the public would be made aware of the council’s stance on the charges put forward.

She added: “We are working closely with TfL to understand their proposals and the evidence behind them.

"We are doing this through the consultation, the Silvertown Tunnel Implementation Group (which is required to be consulted on the proposals, by the Development Consent Order for the tunnel) and separate discussions with their technical experts.”

Labour Councillor Roger Tester also asked Cllr Lekau where the authority stood on how much local businesses would be expected to pay to use the tunnels.

The cabinet member responded by saying TfL had suggested a £1 discount to off-peak charges for eligible small businesses, traders and charities in Greenwich and Newham for at least a year.

TfL has stated exemptions to the charges would apply for specific vehicles such as taxis and blue badge holders.

A Mayor of London spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Local residents and business owners currently face chronic congestion and pollution in the area around the Blackwall Tunnel.

"When it opens in 2025, the long-planned new Silvertown Tunnel will help deliver quicker, more reliable journeys in East London by easing congestion and making journeys up to 20 minutes faster.”

The spokesperson said the Silvertown Tunnel scheme was first developed in 2012.

They added that Sadiq Khan had worked to improve the proposal since he became mayor in 2016 by adding discounts for low-income residents and local businesses, new bus services, a cycle shutter service and free cross-river bus and DLR transport for the first year.

Greenwich Council formally called on the Mayor of London and TfL to pause work on the Silvertown Tunnel in March 2022.

Cllr Lekau also claimed the authority would support the tunnel being re-purposed to support active travel, but noted that TfL had no obligation to comply with such a request.

The Blackwall Tunnel is currently free to use, while the Silvertown Tunnel is due to be completed in spring next year and will connect Greenwich Peninsula with Silvertown in Newham.

Peak charges for the scheme have been proposed to apply from 6am to 10am northbound and 4pm to 7pm southbound on weekdays and would cost £2.50 for motorcycles, £4 for cars and small vans, £6.50 for large vans and £10 for heavy goods vehicles.

Reduced fees would apply to all vehicles outside of peak hours if payments were made using Auto Pay, with the full price being charged for those using other payment methods.

TfL’s consultation on charges for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels ends on September 3.