Drivers who qualify can now sign up for discounts on the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel tolls, which will come into force when the new crossing opens on April 7.

Car drivers will be charged up to £4 at peak times to use either crossing, with the funds going towards paying off the £2 billion bill for the Silvertown Tunnel. A £1.50 charge will apply at other times of day and at weekends for those who have signed up to TfL’s Auto Pay system, with no charge between 10pm and 6am.

Higher charges will apply for large vans and HGVs.

But a number of discounts will be available for drivers on low incomes and local small businesses.

  • Residents who live in the boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham, Bexley, Southwark, Bromley, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Barking & Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Redbridge, Waltham Forest and the City of London who claim eligible benefits – including universal credit, income support and carer’s allowance – can claim a 50 per cent discount.
  • Some small businesses, charities and sole traders in Greenwich, Newham and Tower Hamlets only can get a £1 discount on off-peak trips.
  • Blue Badge holders can use the crossings without charge.
  • Vehicles with nine or more seats and roadside recovery vehicles can also be exempt.
  • More details, and how to sign up, are on the TfL website at www.tfl.gov.uk/tunnel-discounts.

TfL is also suggesting that all drivers sign up for TfL Auto Pay so they can qualify for cheaper off-peak trips. Those who have already signed up to pay ULEZ or the central London congestion charge will already be covered.

Christina Calderato, director of strategy at TfL, said: “With just over two months to go until the Silvertown Tunnel opens on April 7, we’re pleased to have opened pre-registration for discounts for low-income residents, local businesses and charities for Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnel user charges. Registration is easy and we would encourage all those who are eligible to sign up to ensure they can benefit from reduced charges.”

Silvertown Tunnel entrance
The new tunnel – with a dedicated HGV and bus lane – opens on April 7. Image: Transport for London

The charges have proved controversial with Conservative politicians complaining about their imposition – even though they were in the proposals for the Silvertown Tunnel when introduced by Tory mayor Boris Johnson more than a decade ago.

Meanwhile, Labour boroughs such as Lewisham and Southwark have complained that the off-peak tolls are too low, being less than a £1.75 bus fare. Greenwich has also made the same complaint – the Labour council supported the tunnel for a decade until 2022, before reversing its stance after building work had started. The off-peak toll is also less than the £2 charged at the Dartford Crossing.

Buses using both tunnels will be free for at least the first year, even if that journey does not cross the Thames.

TfL and London’s Labour mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, have both insisted that the tunnel, between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks, is needed to deal with the notorious congestion at the northbound Blackwall Tunnel. It will also include a dedicated lane for buses and HGVs that are too big to use the Victorian-era tunnel.

However, critics fear that a toll will not be enough to stop even more traffic using the crossing, creating new jams elsewhere and failing to deal with problems at Blackwall.

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