The southbound Blackwall Tunnel will be closed on four more weekends in the coming weeks as work continues to build the adjacent Silvertown Tunnel.

Northbound traffic will not be affected, but buses on route 108 will be split into two sections in both directions — Lewisham to North Greenwich and Canning Town to Stratford — with passengers given free Jubilee Line travel between North Greenwich and Stratford. The bus will run via Tower Bridge when the Tube is closed.

The southbound tunnel will be closed between May 18-20, June 1-3, June 8-10 and June 29 – July 1. Closures will run from 00.01 on Saturdays and 05.00 on Mondays.

The closure on June 1-3 will coincide with the weekend closure of another cross-river link – the Elizabeth Line between Paddington and Abbey Wood – for engineering works.

Passengers attempting to cross the river will also be affected by slightly reduced Docklands Light Railway services on May 17-19 and services closing an hour early on other dates in June to allow for new trains to be tested.

Both bores of the Silvertown Tunnel have been dug and are now being fitted out, with landscaping work having begun on the Greenwich side as the worksites are no longer required.

This set of closures is will also enable workers to resurface roads and pavements on the tunnel approaches, install safety barriers and work on retaining walls. Northbound traffic may be diverted through the closed southbound tunnel at times.

Inside the Silvertown Tunnel
Work is continuing inside the new tunnel. Image: Transport for London

The Silvertown Tunnel is expected to open in about a year’s time. When it opens, both the new crossing and the Blackwall Tunnel will be tolled. It will have a dedicated bus and HGV lane, enabling it to carry heavy lorries that cannot use the northbound Blackwall Tunnel.

TfL has painted the new tunnel as a “public transport-focused” crossing, although in reality it will have just two bus routes serving it when it opens, with only one – an extension to the 129 – stopping close to its entrances.

Nick Fairholme, the head of systems capital delivery, said: “We are getting closer to the opening of the new Silvertown Tunnel and appreciate that these planned weekend works will have an impact on some drivers. We are doing everything in our power to limit potential disruption and complete these essential works as quickly as possible, including ensuring a northbound route through the Blackwall Tunnel is maintained throughout.”