London tunnel taxes branded an ‘absolute joke’ with drivers given hours to respond to daily charges

The proposed tariffs would see drivers charged £1.50 to use the new Silvertown Tunnel and existing Blackwall Tunnel during standard off-peak hours.

The charges would be in place from 6am until 10pm, seven days a week, with the fare increasing by £1 for motorbikes and an extra £2.50 for cars and small vans during peak hours.

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But the upcoming tax changes have been met with fury by drivers who argue the tariffs are treating motorists in the capital as "cash cows".

Taking to social media, one person said: “Initially I believed it was only charges during rush hours morning and evening not throughout the rest of the day too, but the tunnels are like the Dartford Crossing, absolute joke.”

As part of the levy, TfL said it would give a 50 per cent discount for low-income drivers in 12 boroughs in east and south-east London, as well as the City of London.

There would also be a £1 discount on the standard off-peak charge lasting for one year for small businesses, sole traders and charities operating in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Greenwich.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: "Local residents and business owners currently face chronic congestion and pollution in the area around the Blackwall Tunnel.

“When it opens in 2025, the long-planned new Silvertown tunnel will help deliver quicker, more reliable journeys in east London by easing congestion and making journeys up to 20 minutes faster.

"The Silvertown Tunnel scheme has been years in the making, first developed back in 2012. Since I became Mayor in 2016, we have worked to improve it, adding discounts for low-income residents and local businesses, new bus services, a bespoke cycle shuttle service and free cross-river bus and DLR transport for at least the first year.”

TfL also posted on X: “When the new Silvertown Tunnel opens, it’ll allow 21 buses per hour to cross between north and south London, including the new Superloop SL4, extended 129, and 108 routes. Plus, a free cyclist shuttle will be available through the tunnel!”

The London transport body held an eight-week public consultation to hear what drivers and locals thought about the new proposals.

However, as the consultation winds down tonight, TfL will soon publish its decision on whether to move ahead with new taxes.

Transport for London stated that it “must apply user charges” at both tunnels to help better manage traffic as well as mitigate the environmental impacts.

It explained: “If charges were not levied, traffic using both tunnels would increase, and drivers would continue to experience major delays."

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TfL added: “Delays and congestion contribute to poorer air quality levels. The user charge is designed to manage levels of traffic using the tunnels and deliver an overall improvement on air quality.”

Revenue generated from the suggested tariffs will be used to help support the costs of the construction, ongoing maintenance, and operation of the Silvertown Tunnel.