From next week, drivers using London’s Blackwall Tunnel will have to pay a toll.
The charge is being implemented the same day the new Silvertown Tunnel – which will link east London to southeast London – also opens to drivers.
For car drivers, a return journey at peak times will cost £8, jumping up to £13 for large vans.
Here is everything you need to know about the new tunnel, the tolls and the decision behind its implementation.
What is the Silvertown Tunnel?
The 1.4km (just under one mile) long tunnel stretches from Silvertown in Newham, east London, to the Greenwich Peninsula in southeast London.
It will run adjacent to the Victorian-era Blackwall Tunnel which takes drivers near The O2 Arena under the River Thames to the East India Dock Road (A13) in Blackwall.
The project, which has cost £2.2bn, was approved by London Mayor Saqid Khan, having been first proposed back in 2012.
It is being funded through private finance and Transport for London (TfL) will pay back £100m a year through money made on the toll.
The tunnel boring machine at Royal Docks. Pic: PA
Why was it built?
The new tunnel aims to reduce congestion that currently builds up on the approach to the Blackwall Tunnel.
Transport for London claims the Silvertown Tunnel will save commuters up to 20 minutes.
The government body says the Blackwall Tunnel was never designed to carry the levels of traffic it currently does, leading to more frequent incidents that cause traffic to tailback for miles and negatively impacting air quality.
As well as private vehicles, around 21 buses will travel through the new tunnel every hour from 7am until 7pm Monday to Friday, which TfL has said will help to offer new routes for more people.
A dedicated bike bus shuttle service will also…
