TfL Blackwall Tunnel closure to install new footbridge

Drivers are warned that a major east London tunnel will be closed at the end of the month due to work on a new pedestrian and cycling bridge.

The Blackwall Tunnel, connecting Greenwich with Tower Hamlets, is due to be shut southbound from midnight on Saturday June 24 until 5am on Monday June 26.

The closures will allow for the removal of the existing 1960s footbridge across the A102, which is being replaced with a “new, fully accessible bridge built to modern design standards with improved lighting”, Transport for London (TfL) said.

Its northbound tunnel is due to remain open that weekend but drivers will be subject to local signed diversions on the Saturday night while the main bridge span is removed over the existing carriageway.

For anyone needing to cross the river:

• The Woolwich Ferry will be operating a 15-20 minute service from 7am to 6pm.
• The 108 bus will split for most of the weekend, terminating at either Canning Town and North Greenwich. TfL is asking anyone having to cross the river to use the Jubilee line.
• Northbound buses will return to their normal route from around midnight on Sunday, while southbound buses will be diverted via Tower Bridge until 5am on April 3.

TfL is pre-warning drivers that there will be a further weekend closure of the southbound tunnel in early July to provide surface water drainage of the new road layout which will be tied into the existing drainage system around the Greenwich Peninsula.

TfL is planning to carry out these works across the weekend of July 8 to 10, subject to final approvals. Northbound traffic through the Blackwall Tunnel will not be affected by this closure as traffic will be diverted through the southbound tunnel,

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 across the two weekends.

“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.”