When is the Blackwall Tunnel closed? New footbridge to be installed

The southbound section of Blackwall Tunnel will be closed from Friday.
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The southbound section of Blackwall Tunnel will be closed at the end of the month for the installation of a new walking and cycling footbridge in Greenwich.

Transport for London (TfL) has today (March 13) warned drivers that part of the tunnel will be closed from 10pm on Friday March 31 until 5am on Monday April 3 and that traffic will be required to take alternative routes.

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The new bridge, which is being delivered by Riverlinx CJV as part of the Silvertown Tunnel project, will replace the existing 1960s footbridge across the A102, with a more modern design with improved lighting.

Drivers are advised to plan their routes in advance given height and weight restrictions at Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge, both of which are outside of the congestion charge zone.

A new footbridge will be installed across the A102 in Greenwich. Credit: TfLA new footbridge will be installed across the A102 in Greenwich. Credit: TfL
A new footbridge will be installed across the A102 in Greenwich. Credit: TfL

Drivers of HGVs, as well as vans more than two metres in height or weighing more than two tonnes, are advised to use the Dartford Crossing across the weekend where possible.

The Woolwich Ferry will also operate a service every 15 t20 minutes across the weekend between 7am and 6pm.

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The northbound Blackwall Tunnel will not be affected by this closure, but drivers will be subject to local signed diversions on Saturday night while the main bridge span is craned into place over the carriageway and are advised to seek alternative routes to avoid additional delays.

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 be impactful for drivers across the weekend.

“Working with Riverlinx CJV, we have worked hard to try and minimise the potential disruption these will cause, such as putting on additional Woolwich Ferry services and ensuring a northbound route can be maintained across the weekend.”

Across the weekend, the route 108, the only bus route which operates through the Blackwall Tunnel, will be split, with services terminating at Canning Town station and North Greenwich.

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

During the closure of the southbound Blackwall Tunnel, TfL will carry out a range of works within and around the tunnel, including carriageway repairs on the approach roads to the southbound tunnel, renewing road markings and repairing signage, and cleaning gullies to reduce risk of future flooding.

A further closure of the Blackwall Tunnel is also planned for summer 2023 to assist with the removal of the existing footbridge.