Blackwall Tunnel toll: Sadiq Khan says '£123m' through charges and fines when Silvertown Tunnel opens

Sadiq Khan says the tolls to be introduced at the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels were forecast to raise at least £123m in the first year - but he still has not said how much motorists will need to pay.

The charges are due to be introduced when the Silvertown Tunnel, currently being built, opens in 2025.

Before Christmas, City Hall Conservatives transport spokesman Keith Prince AM asked the mayor for the financial projections from the tolls.

In a written response, the mayor said: "Based on the indicative charges that formed part of the documentation for the DCO (development consent order), the revenue projections for the first full financial year (01/04/25 – 31/03/26) that the tunnel operates were £123m. This included income from both tolling and penalties."

Mr Khan said the revenue will fund construction and maintenance of the Silvertown Tunnel, which has been privately financed by the Riverlinx consortium. He said any surplus will go back into the TfL network.

A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said the charges for motorists are yet to be set, but that discounts are being developed for people on low incomes.

The Silvertown Tunnel and toll proposals were initiated in 2015, when Boris Johnson was mayor of London. At the time a £4 indicative charge was used, and in October Mr Khan noted that the figure is “the equivalent of around £5.25 today, allowing for inflation”. Mr Prince said: "Sadiq Khan is waging war on motorists to plug the £15bn blackhole in TfL finances. Motorists will pay TfL almost £1bn this year in road user charges including unfair ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) charges in outer London.

“Sadiq Khan now plans to make millions more for TfL by charging tolls on the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels. Sadiq Khan must come clean on how much motorists will pay to use these tunnels and how much of their toll will be used to prop up TfL finances."

Mr Khan's office referred a request for comment to TfL, whose spokesperson said: "The purpose of introducing a user charge for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels is to manage traffic effectively, and deliver the expected environmental and economic benefits.

"It was first proposed in 2012 and forms part of the planning consent for the Silvertown Tunnel and was formally approved by government ministers in 2018. The planning consent requires TfL to manage traffic levels and environmental impact and introducing these charges has been a long-standing way to comply with the planning requirements.

"The level of user charge has not yet been agreed, and TfL is working on proposals for a set of discounts for people on low income in the local area. These will be confirmed closer to the tunnel opening date in 2025.”