New Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges

arial view of blackwall and silvertown tunnels

The new charges apply from 7 April 2015. By now they should be well into the charging regime. I say a regime because it is part of Mr Khan's roundabout approach to get funding for newly built Silvertown tunnel. Here we want to highlight these tunnel charges, a contentious topic for the next Mayor of London, but also the penalties being handed out for unsuspecting motorists who live outside of London, and who may have been caught in the PCN net.

Some facts about cars today ?

  • There are 42million cars on British roads.
  • More cars mean more pot holes, because cars are now heavier.
  • Manufacturers are making cars bigger, and more comfortable. They are also making cars more powerful, and faster.
  • However governments are cutting speed, to save energy, reduce accidents with their associated costs.
  • Train travel uses less energy, per passenger, than cars. Train off-peak availability is high. Why not travel by train? Learn More...
  • Have you considered a car club, especially one for your work colleagues?
  • More cars mean more parking headaches.

Britain's cars Catch-22

Problem: Too many cars on the road, causing congestion.

1 in 5 cars on the road are more than 13 years old. Since Covid 19 motorists are keeping cars longer. Old cars have higher CO2 emissions. On average owners are spending £677 a year on car maintenance.

Flip for solution.
a line of oldish cars

Solution:Think about the impact of travel by car?

  • air polution
  • noise polution
  • road traffic accidents
  • traffic congestion
  • parking nightmare
Problem: More potholes, heavier cars,
more damage to roads.

Electric cars are around 1000 pounds heavier then their combustion engine counter-parts. Together with lorries roads are taking a hammering. Motorists are buying heavier
4 x 4s to handle the potholes.

Flip for solution.
photo of a road with potholes

Solution: Don't buy a bigger, heavier car!

Instead, and also to combat potholes:

  • Buy a small electric car
  • Only keep one car per household
  • Re-define a car not a status symbol
  • Report potholes to your Council
Problem: Too many cars, not enough parking, motorists nightmare.

Cars are now bigger, taking up more space.INRIX found that, on average, UK drivers spend 44 hours a year searching for parking, costing £733 per driver in wasted time, fuel and emissions.

Flip for solution.
bunch of cars parked on a narrow street

Solution: Leave your car at home !

Save time & costs on Parking, consider:

  • Walking
  • Taking your bicycle
  • Jumping on a bus
  • Jumping on a train
  • Sharing car with your neighbour
Problem: Too many cars per household, increased congestion and CO2 emissions.

There have been long-term increases in the proportion of households Some 33% of households had two or more cars in 2021, compared to 8% in 1971. The proportion of households with one car was 45% in 2021.

Flip for solution.
aerial map of housing to show cars

Solution:Train Travel off-peak

Travel by train off-peak.

Do you think the Charges are fair?

Give us your story!

  • How were you introduced to the new charges?
  • Did you get a penalty notice?
  • Are you a Tfl account holder?
  • Are you from outside of London?
  • Did you see any signage, warning you about the extra Tunnel charge?
  • Did you hear any news bulletins about the new charges?

A summary of the charges and penalties

The charges are as follows...

From 7 April 2025 charges will apply to both the Blackwall Tunnel and the new Silvertown Tunnel. If you drive through either tunnel, you will need to pay each time you cross, unless you or your vehicle are exempt from paying the charge. Charges will apply from 06.00-22.00, 7 days a week in both directions. The tunnel will be open 24 hours a day every day of the week.
The toll charges for the **Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels** vary based on the time and type of vehicle. Click here to see detailed pricing.

Are the Penalties fair?

I received a fine for travelling through the tunnels, but I was ignorant to the new charges. I was fined £180 both ways (with 50% discount) as I didn't pay in 3 days. I also didn't have a valid excuse, apart from the poor signage. When I phoned, the lady said there was sufficient signage, and also it had been announced on TV, although she didn't have exact dates. I seldom watch the regular TV channels so I missed out on the news. I have heard nothing on the radio either in the last few months. I try to catch up with news on the internet, but there was no warnings or reminders about Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges starting in April. Strangely enough, the signage didn't exactly jump out at me. There was a lot of traffic, so I missed the sparse signage.

I decided to check the effectiveness of the signage

I went out on a Sunday and took some videos. I started at my house then entered Blackwall tunnel from the south . I then returned from the north. When I tried to pay for the charges bothways; I realised you have to pay the full £4 but I was travelling on the weekend. Does this mean the MON-FRI charges don't apply and why pay more online than account holders? Traditionally online payments of any kind attract some form of discount, because they involve less paperwork. It seems that the whole pricing table is so difficult to understand? So you must now phone in, then get ID-eed, they want all the details, and you must open an account with TfL, and leave card details for auto-payments. Then they've got you! Conclusion: Payment system is not straightforward. The motorist is simply there to milk. Warnings about the new Blackwall and Silvertown charges: virtually not existant. Then there is the signage: Signage too faint, and in small lettering, too small to even notice. TfL will be reaping millions from first time offenders who were not properly informed, and who missed the subtle signage. Leave your comment

Blackwall tunnel southern approach

Blackwall tunnel northern approach

Pointers

  • The journey was 11 miles from my home to the Blackwall tunnel. There were three Blackwall and Silvertown charge warning signs.
    • Poor signage Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel
    The first sign into London; To read it you must be a speed-reader?
  • There were six signs for heavy vehicles times, diversions etc. There was one overhead sign Northbound in 11 miles.
    • Sparse signage before Blackwall Tunnel
    Only the second sign in 8 miles, too little, too late for most drivers.
  • Just the old signage heading North. No road paintings?
    • Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges and penalties
    Entering the tunnel, no sign of a toll sign!

Pointers

  • 18 miles up the A12 to the Blackwall tunnel Southbound. There were three signs warning of Blackwall tunnel charges going into London.
    • Sparse signage before Blackwall Tunnel
    The sign doesn't exactly jump out at you,have you got bionic vision?
  • Heavy vehicles signs (no that's not you) There was one reminder sign to pay charges, don't blink when driving.
    • Sparse signage before Blackwall Tunnel
    Overhead signs must be read instantly!
  • A reminder sign here to 'pay the toll' would be appropriate!
    • Sparse signage before Blackwall Tunnel
    Are we paying for the old(new) Tunnel too?