Hundreds more vehicles are using the free Woolwich Ferry since tolls were introduced at the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels, Transport for London has confirmed.
Early data shows that traffic levels at Blackwall Tunnel and new Silvertown Tunnel fell slightly in the first four weeks after the new crossing came into use on April 7, and tolls were introduced.
A report to go before TfL’s board next week says that while between 90,000-100,000 vehicles per day used the Blackwall Tunnel before its neighbouring crossing opened, this number had fallen to an average of 88,000 across both tunnels by May 11.
However, the first four weeks of the Silvertown Tunnel’s operation included the school Easter holidays and the early May bank holiday, meaning it may take some time for a clear picture to emerge.
But what will concern TfL is an increase in traffic using other crossings, particularly the Woolwich Ferry, with an extra 1,800 vehicles using on average each day.
No comparison is given with past figures, but that would represent a 46 per cent increase on the nearly 3,900 crossings (including pedestrians) reported on the ferry’s busiest day in June last year, after a regular two-boat service was reintroduced.
Before the Silvertown Tunnel opened on April 7, the Blackwall Tunnel was free to use – now both crossings are tolled. Car drivers pay £1.50 off-peak and at weekends, £4 at peak times and nothing between 10pm and 6am.
The report by Andy Lord, the TfL commissioner, is the first to give a limited glimpse of how the new crossing – and the new tolls – has changed traffic patterns in southeast and east London.
“We are aware of some increased traffic volumes at other river crossings, including the Woolwich Ferry, which has seen an additional 1,800 vehicles per day on average,” Lord said.
“Our staff are working hard to manage the additional customers and keep the ferry on schedule, and we are monitoring this situation closely with the expectation it will settle in the coming months as new travel patterns are established.”
The Woolwich Ferry has been free since the modern-day service opened in 1889; it would need an act of parliament to change its status.
Lord also said there were about 7,000 passengers crossing the Thames on the buses using the two tunnels – the 108, 129 and SL4 – each day, with 20,000 using them in total for any journey. Last month TfL said the 108 was running faster and more reliably since the Silvertown Tunnel opened. Fares are free on all three services until at least April next year.
However, only about 100-150 were using the much-mocked free cycle shuttle, although Lord said TfL had received “positive feedback” on the service.
“This is below the capacity of the service and so we are looking at ways to promote it to Londoners,” he said.
Lord’s report also said about 5,000 DLR fares a day were being refunded between Greenwich/Cutty Sark and Island Gardens DLR, and Woolwich Arsenal and King George V, another concession offered as part of the tunnel’s opening.
Opponents of the Silvertown Tunnel had raised fears that traffic would simply switch to alternative crossings, such as the Woolwich Ferry or Rotherhithe Tunnel.
Both Southwark and Lewisham councils opposed the Silvertown Tunnel from the start, fearing the toll would bring an increase in traffic through Rotherhithe, while on the eve of the tunnel’s opening, worries were raised about Tower Bridge. Neither of these crossings are mentioned in the report.
The report promises more data will be provided, however, this will go to the Silvertown Tunnel Implementation Group – comprised mainly of council officers from across east and south east London – rather than be presented in a public forum.
Transport for London’s board will question Lord about the report next Wednesday.
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