New Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges
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.
- More cars put pressure on our road infrastucture (see road related issues with UK laybys)
- 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...
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- Have you considered a car club, with 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.Hence old cars have higher CO2 emissions. On average owners are spending £677 a year on car maintenance.
Flip for solution.
- 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 and SUV's to counteract potholes.
Flip for solution.
- Solution: Don't buy a bigger, heavier car to combat potholes:
- Buy a small electric car
- Only keep one car per household
- Re-define your car does not equate with status
- Report potholes to your Council
Problem: Too many cars: What of increased parking nightmare.
Cars are now bigger, taking up more space.INRIX found that, on average, UK car drivers spend 44 hours a year searching for parking spaces. This is costing £733 a year per driver in wasted time, fuel and emissions.
Flip for solution.
- Solution: Leave your car at home. Save time and costs, consider:
- Walking
- Taking your bicycle
- Jumping on a bus
- Jumping on a train
- Sharing car with your neighbour
Problem: More cars per household; are they essential?
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.
Solution : Leave your car at home
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.×Tunnel Toll Charges
🔹 **Cars**: £1.50 - £4.00 per crossing
🔹 **Motorcycles**: £1.50 per crossing
🔹 **Penalty for late payment**: £180 (reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days)
🔹 **Payments must be made within **3 days** of crossing.
🔹 **See the full charges here**
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 give 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 shot some videos. Starting from my home, (on the south side), I journeyed north towards Blackwall Tunnel. Then when attempting to pay the charge, although it was the weekend I still had to pay the full £4.00. It's a bit confusing? Why do users who pay online, pay more than account holders? You must now phone in, they want all the details, and you must open an account with TfL. Then auto-payments kick in every time you go through the tunnel. 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. Please leave a comment.
Blackwall Tunnel Southern approach
Blackwall Tunnel Northern approach
Pointers: Southern Approach
The journey was 11 miles from my home.There were
three Blackwall Tunnel charges warning signs.
The first sign into London; To read it you must be a speed-reader? Pointers: Northern Approach
The journey was 18 miles along the A12 and there were
three signs warning of Blackwall tunnel charges.
The sign doesn't exactly jump out at you,have you got bionic vision? Southern Approach
There were six signs for heavy vehicles, and there was
one overhead sign for Blackwall Tunnel in 11 miles.
Only the second sign in 8 miles, too little, too late for most drivers. Northern Approach
Heavy vehicles signs (several) and there was one reminder
sign to pay charges, don't blink when driving.
Overhead signs must be read instantly! Southern Approach
Just the old signage heading North. No road paintings?
Entering Blackwall tunnel, no sign of toll charges! Northern Approach
A reminder sign here to 'pay the toll' would be appropriate!
Are we paying for the old Blackwall Tunnel too? Your Comments