Reduces Traffic Bottlenecks, Enhances Public Transport Utilization in Silvertown Tunnel
The Silvertown Tunnel, a 1.4km tunnel connecting Silvertown with the Greenwich Peninsula, was opened on 07 April 2025. This new addition to London's transport infrastructure has significantly improved journey times for thousands of Londoners and reduced congestion in the city.
More than 20,000 trips are now being made across the new SL4 route, extended 129, and existing 108 service, an increase of 160% compared to data before the launch of the scheme. Of these trips, it is estimated that 7,000 of the journeys are crossing the river using one of the two tunnels.
The Silvertown Tunnel, supported by user charges, is already reducing congestion around the Blackwall Tunnel. In fact, unplanned closures at the Blackwall Tunnel have reduced by 39%, with the alternative of the Silvertown Tunnel providing minimal impact to traffic flow. As a result, congestion around the Blackwall Tunnel approaches has been greatly reduced.
The opening of the Silvertown Tunnel has also led to a 6% reduction in the number of vehicles, despite a 50% increase in the road capacity for cars and vans. This reduction is due in part to the increased use of bus services through both tunnels, with 9% of cross-river trips now made via public transport. The northbound A102 approach, a previous congestion hotspot, now experiences average speeds of 30 mph during weekday morning peak hours, up from 9 mph.
The Silvertown Tunnel is also supporting thousands of Londoners to cross the river using public transport such as the free bus services. The newly introduced free cycle shuttle service between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks is seeing around 125-130 cyclists daily. Londoners using the 108 bus between Stratford International and Lewisham via the Blackwall Tunnel now experience roughly 23% less excess waiting time compared to times before the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel.
Total traffic volumes, including those on key corridors such as the A2, A12, and A13, have remained stable. TfL is working closely to manage additional customers utilising the Woolwich Ferry to accommodate the increased demand for public transport.
The New Silvertown Tunnel in London is constructed and operated by Transport for London (TfL). TfL is fully committed to monitoring the impact of the tunnels and will work hard to ensure that the benefits of the scheme are embedded to secure long-term improvements for Londoners. Overall journey times during morning peak hours have reduced by 70% since the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel compared to times before.
TfL will continue to monitor the impacts of the scheme to build a better, greener, and fairer London for everyone. The Silvertown Tunnel was constructed to support economic and population growth, provide enhanced cross-river transport links, and transform the area into a road user charging zone. The Silvertown Tunnel is a significant step forward in London's efforts to improve its transport infrastructure and reduce congestion in the city.
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