Transport for London (TfL) has announced the opening of the Silvertown tunnel today [7 April] with the 1.4km tunnel now linking Newham to the Greenwich Peninsula.
First announced in 2012, TfL reports that the £2bn Silvertown tunnel will increase the hourly number of buses in the area from six to 21.
The project has been delivered by TfL and Riverlinx Limited, which designed, built and financed the project and will also operate and maintain it over the next 25 years.
At the request of the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the scheme was reviewed in October 2016, with a series of enhancements made to the proposals to make it greener and more public transport-focused.
There have, however, been those that accuse the TfL of doing too little to protect the area from worsening air quality created by a new, concentrated area of vehicles.
Speaking to the Guardian, Founder of the Stop the Silvertown Tunnel Coalition Victoria Rance said: “As cities across Europe invest in public transport or active travel – real green transport infrastructure – we are left with what is effectively 1970s technology… a highly polluting road tunnel that will be out of date the moment it opens.
“We are still calling for it to be repurposed into a tunnel crossing for public transport and bikes and we will continue to make that argument.”
TfL has ensured that there is a 50% discount for residents in 12 east London boroughs who are on low incomes, and a £1 reduction to off-peak fares for small businesses.
READ MORE: Silvertown Tunnel cycle shuttle service begins 7 April 2025
These off-peak charges will only apply to those who have signed up to the TfL Autopay, external system.
The mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The new Silvertown Tunnel will transform travel in the South and East of our city, particularly across the River Thames, and will help to address the chronic congestion and poor air quality around Blackwall Tunnel.
“The new tunnel will reduce journey times, help to manage pollution levels and improve cross-river public transport.
“The original plans for the Silvertown Tunnel were developed by the previous Mayor of London in 2012. We made a series of significant improvements to make the scheme greener and to include a package of measures to support Londoners, local residents and businesses.
“This includes ensuring there are discounts and concessions in place, reserving a lane for double-decker buses, a free innovative cycle-shuttle service and free bus travel for pedestrians, which will encourage more people to switch to greener modes of transport.”
Achievements and innovations in public transport planning will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
