"Unfair" Silvertown Tunnel Tolls Hit Commuters and Cabbies Hard

A wave of anger is rippling through South London as residents and taxi drivers grapple with the newly implemented charges for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels. Local councils are fiercely denouncing the scheme, which went live earlier this month, labeling it "unfair" and warning of the significant financial strain it places on daily commuters and businesses.

The controversial tolls have ignited a chorus of disapproval from boroughs directly impacted by the vital river crossings. While Greenwich Council champions the urgent need for enhanced sustainable transport options in light of the charges, Bromley has voiced its strong dismay over the imposition of fees on the historically free Blackwall Tunnel. Bexley Council has been particularly vocal, condemning the peak-time charging structure as "unfair" and discriminatory against its residents who rely on the tunnels for their daily commutes.

Introduced on April 7th, the charges vary depending on the direction and time of travel, quickly becoming a major bone of contention between outer London boroughs and Transport for London (TfL). Greenwich Council, in its prior consultation response, had even advocated for repurposing some tunnel bores for sustainable transport and suggested that car toll charges should exceed standard bus fares. They also supported exemptions for essential workers and vulnerable individuals, including NHS staff, licensed TfL taxi drivers, emergency vehicles, and Blue Badge holders.

However, the reality of the implementled charges has fallen far short of these hopes. Bromley Council's Councillor Nicholas Bennett expressed the borough's disappointment, stating, "We are sorry that despite many representations to TfL, the new SL4 bus, which connects Grove Park to Canary Wharf through the tunnel, was not extended to Bromley Town centre... We also feel that charging for the Blackwall Tunnel, which has been free since its opening in 1897, is unfair on motorists as the cost of building both tunnels were paid off many years ago."

The impact is being felt acutely in Bexley, where Councillor Richard Diment described the charges as "a real kick in the teeth for our residents and small businesses who are being treated unfairly." The council highlighted the particularly punitive nature of the peak-time charges, which apply northbound from 6 am to 10 am and southbound from 4 pm to 7 pm. This timing structure disproportionately affects Bexley residents who commute to work in North London, leaving them with limited alternatives due to what the council describes as a "lack of modern public transport links."

For a Bexley resident registered for Auto Pay, the peak-time charge of £4 each way translates to a hefty £8 daily toll. This significant new expense is causing considerable anxiety and financial pressure on individuals and local businesses already grappling with the rising cost of living.

The exclusion of licensed TfL taxi drivers from the exemption list has also drawn criticism. These drivers, who provide a crucial public transport service, now face increased operating costs, potentially impacting fares and the viability of their livelihoods. The added expense of navigating the tunnels multiple times a day will inevitably squeeze their already tight margins.

As the charges bed in, the outcry from South London boroughs shows no signs of abating. The debate over the fairness and long-term consequences of the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnel tolls is likely to continue, with residents and local leaders demanding a re-evaluation of a scheme they believe unfairly burdens their communities.