Blackwall Tunnel: Weekends of TfL planned closures in February, March and April

Transport for London (TfL) has warned drivers that the Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to southbound traffic two weekends across March and April, as works continue on the east London river crossing.

The tunnel will be shut southbound traffic will be closed across the weekends of March 23- 25 and April 13-15 to help support works to the northbound carriageway.

The new closure will follow the previously announced southbound closure across the weekend of February 24-26.

TfL says the works are required to implement the road configuration for the new Silvertown Tunnel. They will see new overheight vehicle gantries installed to protect the tunnel, as well as resurfacing works.

Across the weekends, the Blackwall Tunnel will be closed for southbound traffic and drivers will need to take alternative routes.

Northbound traffic will not be affected by these closures as traffic will be diverted through the southbound Blackwall Tunnel.

There will be no access to Tunnel Avenue from the A102 at Pear Island across the weekend of March 23 to 25 due to the works. The northbound on-slip on Blackwall Lane will be closed and a signed diversion via the Woolwich Flyover roundabout will be in place.

During the weekend of February 24-26, northbound traffic will be diverted from the A102 via Millennium Way to the Blackwall Tunnel entrance from 10pm on Saturday until 10am on Sunday to allow for additional works to install new gantries across all lanes of the A102.

Drivers are advised to plan their routes in advance, checking before they travel so they can consider any other potential traffic impacts or restrictions, such as the height and weight limits at Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge, both of which are outside the Congestion Charge zone. 

Traffic around Rotherhithe Tunnel and along the A13 Commercial Road are expected to be heavier than normal over the weekends due to the closures.

Drivers of HGVs, as well as vans more than two metres in height or weighing more than two tonnes, are advised to consider routes away from central London across the weekend where possible.

Carl Eddleston, director of network management and resilience at TfL, said: “We appreciate that these planned weekend works will have an impact on some drivers and are doing everything in our power to limit potential disruption and complete these essential works as quickly as possible, including ensuring a northbound route through the Blackwall Tunnel is maintained throughout.”

The route 108, the only bus route that operates through the Blackwall Tunnel, will be split in two, operating between both Lewisham and North Greenwich and between Canning Town and Stratford. 

Customers are advised to then change onto the Jubilee line to cross the river to complete their journeys.

Tolls are set to be introduced on both the Blackwall Tunnel and the Silvertown Tunnel in 2025, when the latter is completed.