THE Woolwich Foot Tunnel has reopened after nearly 20 months of closure.

It opened at 6am today and has been undergoing major refurbishment along with the Greenwich foot tunnel.

New lifts, stairs, lighting and CCTV has been installed while the tunnel itself has been restructured.

Access will only be available via the stairs while work continues on the lifts.

In April last year the Woolwich and Greenwich foot tunnels were closed as part of a £11.5m refurbishment programme on the Victorian structure.

Throughout the Christmas period there will be 24-hour access to the Greenwich Foot Tunnel via the stairs, with night-time closures suspended until January 3.

Greenwich Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and skills Denise Hyland said: “It’s great news that the Woolwich Foot Tunnel will be open – particularly in time for Christmas when public transport options are much more limited.

"It’s a free and easy means of crossing the river."

She added: “The work on both tunnels has been an extremely complex heritage project – it is the first time since the tunnels were built that work of this extent has taken place and it’s not been without its challenges.

“I thank pedestrians and cyclists for their ongoing patience while we have carried out these complicated works.”