Transport for London (TfL) has announced that the new Silvertown Tunnel is set to open on 7 April 2025.
Announced in conjunction with Riverlinx Limited, the consortium responsible for the design, build, operation and maintenance of the tunnel, the opening will also see the introduction of new, dedicated bus routes, which will remain free to the public for at least the first year of operation.
The new, cross-river routes will serve Greenwich, Newham and Tower Hamlets, increasing hourly services in the area from six to twenty-one.
Complimentary services offered will also include use of the Superloop (SL4) between Canary Wharf and Grove Park.
Work on the tunnel, which was announced in 2012, is now entering its final stages, with operational readiness testing now currently underway, as well as the installation of infrastructure to support the new zero-emission routes and cycle-shuttle service under the Thames.
Borja Trashorras, Project Director, Riverlinx CJV, said:Following over five years of careful planning, design and construction, it is truly rewarding to see the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel. With its determination and passion, the Construction Joint Venture (CJV) team of BAM, Ferrovial & SK ecoplant has consistently outperformed throughout the design and construction phase.
The team has delivered solutions to overcome significant engineering challenges and complex working environments and the project will open on time and with the highest quality and safety standards. Through outstanding collaboration and integrated teamwork between TfL, Riverlinx and the CJV, we are delivering an infrastructure asset that will serve London for generations.
As part of the work, TfL is set to install new, bespoke shelters and cycle racks for the cycle-shuttle service, all of which will be designed as to be distinguished from the regular, existing bus network.
Operating every twelve minutes, seven days a week between the hours of 06:30 and 21:30; the cycle-shuttle service will stop once each side of the river, with the northern stop located on Seagull Lane and the southern stop located on Millennium Way.
Linking Newham to the Greenwich Peninsula, the Silvertown Tunnel is expected to reduce journey times by up to 20 minutes at peak times, with TfL set to introduce a user charge upon opening in order to combat potential traffic and congestion in the area. The charge will be enforced between 06:00 and 22:00 seven days a week.
Stuart Harvey, Chief Capital Officer at Transport for London said:I'm pleased that we can now confirm that the Silvertown Tunnel will open on 7 April 2025, following years of hard work and close collaboration between ourselves and Riverlinx Limited. The tunnel is on track to open in the coming months and is a testament to brilliant and ground-breaking engineering.
The new tunnel, along with the initial user charges, discounts and exemptions, will support growth in the local area and provide new public transport connections across the river. These measures will also help manage traffic demand as well as the environmental impacts, and ensure the new tunnel delivers on its objectives of reducing traffic congestion and providing resilience at the Blackwall Tunnel, while ensuring we support local residents on low income, small businesses, sole traders and local charities.
All DVLA-registered vehicles with more than nine seats will be automatically exempt from both the Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnel charges, as well as taxis, blue badge holders and wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles registered with TfL, alongside the department’s own ‘Zero-Emission Capable’ Private Hire Vehicles.
Charges will begin with an off-peak rate of 1.50 GBP for vehicles registered with TfL Auto Pay, with charges of 2.50 GBP at peak times for motorcycles and 4 GBP for cars and small vans.
