Despite vowing to ‘reduce congestion, delays, and queues’, Transport for London (TFL) has riled campaigners after allowing HGVs use the new Silvertown Tunnel – which is slated to open in spring next year
A ‘major regeneration’ of a Victorian-tunnel has ruffled some feathers, despite receiving approval in 2018. The expansion of Silvertown Tunnel is slated to open in spring 2025, and will link Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula in east London. The new 1.4km road tunnel will have dedicated bus lanes and will include improvements for those walking and cycling around the tunnel entrances. It aims to help ‘reduce congestion, delays and queues’ by making peak time journeys faster and more reliable, cutting the average trip across the river by up to 20 minutes. More public transport offerings will also be available, with 21 zero-emission buses an hour travelling in each direction between 7am and 7pm Monday-Friday.
“The Blackwall Tunnel was never designed for the levels of traffic that now need to cross the river,” said Transport for London (TFL). “Incidents with larger, unsuitable vehicles frequently cause delays and closures; Idling traffic builds up, often leading to tailbacks of several miles in just a few minutes. This increases journey times, as drivers either queue in traffic or choose longer routes to avoid the tunnel. It also has a negative impact on air quality.”
TF added the new tunnel will help manage the air quality impact of traffic congestion in some of London’s ‘most polluted roads’. It says it has been monitoring air quality for the past three years across five boroughs and will continue to monitor them for at least three years after the tunnel is opened. “This is to make sure the tunnel user charge levels are working and the project meets its objectives,” TFL said.
User charges will be implemented for drivers travelling through the tunnel to help pay for its construction and any ongoing maintenance. However, this isn’t the reason why swathe of locals are still objecting to the £2.2 billion project, where private finance has funded the majority of the works.
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TFL will allow larger Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to use the Silvertown Tunnel, meaning these gas guzzling vehicles won’t have to travel over the Dartford Crossing. Campaigners argue this means more HGVs will be travelling through areas like Newham and Greenwich.
Victoria Rance, of Stop Silvertown Tunnel Coalition, believes the revamp will increase carbon emissions and worsen air quality in the area. She added: “It’s going to take 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles into Newham. It’s going to attract new HGVs into Greenwich, past our schools and our kids and into Newham — the most polluted borough in the UK.”
According to the BBC, Shila Keeble from the Greenwich Society branded the tunnel a ‘magnet’ for increased traffic. “One of the issues we have is all the developers are now looking at building distribution centres,” she said. “At the moment the Blackwall Tunnel protects us from bigger traffic… Silvertown won’t.”
Is SIlvertown Tunnel a good idea or a waste of money? Have your say in the comments section below
