New London Tunnel
Silvertown gets a new Thames tunnel
Lucy England
There’s a new tunnel being built near to the existing Blackwall Tunnel in South East London, which will run under the Thames from Silvertown in East London, to the Greenwich peninsula. The new Silvertown tunnel is designed to reduce traffic and congestion in the Blackwall Tunnel area. TfL claims that the Victorian Blackwall Tunnel is not really fit for purpose in these days of extreme traffic, and suffers from more than 700 closures a year, causing bad air pollution, long tailbacks and many hours lost to drivers.
With a view to improving traffic flow, the plan is to charge people for using it in much the same way as the Dartford Crossing. The idea is that if both tunnels are charged, then people won’t flood to the new Silvertown tunnel to get across the river free, thus increasing congestion in the area.
However there is no exemption for motorcycles, which seems very short sighted, as motorcycles are currently exempt from the congestion charge (if they are eligible) as a way to encourage bike use in the city. It would be wise to encourage city motorcycle use, as bikes reduce congestion and pollution, and keep traffic flowing freely.
Motorcycles and scooters will pay £1.50 off-peak autopay, £2.50 peak autopay and £2.50 not using autopay, cars are the same off peak autopay but £4 peak autopay and if not using autopay.
The National Motorcycle Council (NMC) and the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) have both criticised the plan to charge motorcyclists and not allow them to use the tunnels free.
They claim that motorcycles are positive for London, and should be encouraged as a way to increase traffic flow and reduce the use of cars. If motorcyclists were given a free ride – then of course there would be more of them!
The BMF says that charging motorcyclists shows:
“little if any analysis of modelling in respect of motorcycling and its positive impacts on pollution levels and traffic congestion”
While the NMC says:
“The NMC urges TfL to reconsider their proposals to charge motorcyclists to use the Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels, to carry out proper modelling and analysis around motorcycle use of the tunnels, and to exempt motorcycles from charges in order to recognise and realise the significant benefits motorcycling offers as an accessible, affordable, cleaner and greener transport option than most other powered modes of transport. Motorcycling should be supported by TfL with concessions applied to encourage their use as part of the development of a greener and more sustainable future transport model for London.”
The idea of peak and off peak charging being that this would discourage traffic from using the tunnels so much during the busiest hours.
The newly constructed Silvertown tunnel is due to open in 2025 and at that point both tunnels will be charge to use.
So how do you feel about a new Thames tunnel? Will it help and should motorbikes go free? Let us know your thoughts at: [email protected] or on Facebook.
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