The new Silvertown Tunnel has been marked as one of Transport for London's (TfL) biggest projects to date.

The controversial tunnel is being built to help reduce "chronic congestion" at neighbouring Blackwall Tunnel, according to TfL.

Blackwall's Victorian design has been unable to fit with modern traffic status often seeing delays or closures for work.

TfL hopes Silvertown will offer a modern friendly alternative with wider roads in the tunnel.

Plus, TfL wants the Silvertown Tunnel to offer quicker journeys than Blackwall by at least 20 minutes faster and reduce traffic congestion's impact on some of London's most polluted roads.

What is the route of the Silvertown Tunnel?

The Silvertown Tunnel will go under the River Thames and connect the Greenwich Peninsula with East London's Silvertown district in Newham.

Silvertown, on the north bank of the Thames, is described as a "slowly regenerating dockland district situated between the Thames and Royal Victoria Dock" by Hidden London.

The area was once best known as the home to Henry Tate's sugar factory before Abram Lyle took the factory over seeing it become the home of Lyle's Golden Syrup.

Silvertown also has a strong transport connection with road links including Silvertown Way, North Woolwich Road and Factory Road.

However, its factory and transport links saw Silvertown become a targeted area for bombings during the Second World War.

Elsewhere, the Greenwich Peninsula is most known for its entertainment offerings, being home to the O2 Arena, Cineworld Cinema, Outlet Shopping Centre and dozens of bars.


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Like Silvertown, the Greenwich Peninsula has many transport links including the North Greenwich Tube Station, Uber Boat by the Thames Clippers and the IFS Cloud Cable Cars.

When will Silvertown Tunnel open?

According to TfL, they expect the Silvertown Tunnel will be completed and open to the public in 2025.

However, an exact open date has not yet been confirmed.