Blackwall Tunnel: Closures planned for Silvertown Tunnel toll crossings project work

The southbound route of the Blackwall Tunnel faces weekend closures as work continues on Sadiq Khan’s Silvertown Tunnel project.

Transport for London (TfL) has warned that the Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to southbound traffic across the weekends of September 30 to October 2 and October 7-9.

TfL says overnight closures may be needed from October 2-6.

The closures are linked to the Silvertown Tunnel which is due to open in 2025 when tolls will be introduced on both River Thames crossings.

The works in the coming weeks will enable the completion of the realignment of the southbound carriageway, which will carry the existing road over the entrance to the new tunnel. Resurfacing and drainage work will take place throughout the closures.

Blackwall Tunnel southbound weekend closures

From 12.01am on Saturday September 30 until 5am on Monday October 2, as well as from 12.01am on Saturday October 7 until 5am on Monday October 9, the Blackwall Tunnel will be closed for southbound traffic.

The northbound Blackwall Tunnel will not be affected by the closures.

TfL advises drivers to plan routes in advance and consider any other restrictions, such as the height and weight limits at Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge, both of which are outside the Congestion Charge zone.

TfL and Riverlinx are warning drivers that overnight closures to the southbound tunnel may take place from October 2-6 between 11pm and 5am if the weekend work is not sufficient. An announcement will be made following the first weekend closure.

Drivers of HGVs and large vans are being advised to avoid central London routes over the weekends. However, the Woolwich Ferry will operate a special service every 15/20 minutes during the weekend closures between 7am and 6pm.

Blackwall Tunnel northbound work

Following the closures, TfL and Riverlinx will begin work on the northbound carriageway on the approach to the northbound Blackwall Tunnel.

Lane restrictions are expected to be implemented later this year, and these works may impact southbound traffic on occasions. TfL and Riverlinx say they are committed to maintaining two lanes through the Blackwall Tunnel during these works.

A further closure of the southbound tunnel will occur in late October or early November to support northbound carriageway works.

TfL

Carl Eddleston, director of network management and resilience at TfL said: “The Blackwall Tunnel is used by tens of thousands of vehicles every day and we appreciate that these works will have an impact on some drivers.

“Working with Riverlinx CJV, we have worked hard to try and limit the potential disruption these will cause, such as putting on a special service for the Woolwich Ferry and ensuring a northbound route can be maintained throughout these closures.

“We will also be taking the opportunity to carry out works within and around the tunnel to help deliver future maintenance work more efficiently and ensure it continues to safely operate.”

Signage

Extra variable messaging signs will be placed on the main roads approaching the Blackwall Tunnel.

TfL says it has worked with third party app providers such as Waze to help ensure drivers who regularly use the Blackwall Tunnel are alerted to the southbound closure and that the closure is shown in any route-planning over the weekend.

108 London bus

The 108 bus, the only 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. Alternative arrangements will be put in place on Sunday night into Monday morning.

TfL says customers are advised to change onto the Jubilee line to cross the river. The Hopper fare will mean that customers will not be charged for any additional bus journeys on the other side of the river, providing they begin within an hour of touching in on the first bus.

TfL says during the closures route 108 bus passengers who then use the Jubilee line as part of their journey over the weekend will avoid being charged for the Tube journey. From 12.01am on Monday October 2, Monday October 9 and any potential midweek Southbound tunnel closures, northbound buses will return to their normal route and southbound buses will be diverted via Tower Bridge until the tunnel is reopened to southbound traffic.