Bus services improved since Silvertown opening

Initial analysis from TfL suggests the new Silvertown Tunnel is already improving bus times in east London.

Early analysis shows that the new Silvertown Tunnel is already helping to improve reliability of the route 108 bus, Transport for London (TfL) has announced.

Following the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel in April, vehicles previously using the Blackwall Tunnel now have the option of using the Silvertown Tunnel – helping to reduce congestion and deliver faster, more reliable journeys in east London.

This, alongside the introduction of user charges, has brought down congestion in the area around the Blackwall Tunnel. For example, bus routes like the Route 108, which runs from Stratford to Lewisham via the Blackwall Tunnel, is now running more smoothly than before.

Initial analysis of the performance of the Route 108 in the weeks following the Silvertown Tunnel opening shows that the route’s Excess Wait Time – the average time passengers wait beyond the scheduled wait time – for Period 1 2025/26 (1 April - 25 April) has dropped by 23 per cent compared to the same period last year due to the ease in congestion.

Furthermore, when incidents occur at the Blackwall Tunnel, the route 108 can now use the Silvertown Tunnel to continue running a service, whereas before the routes would be terminated early as there was no other way to cross the river. Historically, the Victorian-era tunnel has suffered from frequent closures – more than 700 times a year – which resulted in large tailbacks, poor air quality and millions of hours lost due to drivers being trapped in traffic. By providing an alternative route for cars and bus services while the tunnel is closed, the Silvertown Tunnel is helping to reduce congestion, leading to an increase in the average bus speeds and making the 108 service more reliable for customers.

The Silvertown Tunnel has helped deliver a boost to cross-river public transport options in east London, with the new tunnel allowing the number of buses crossing the river at this location to increase from 6 to 21. All bus routes using the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels – the 108, 129, the new Superloop 4 and the Silvertown Tunnel Cycle Shuttle Service – are zero emission at the tailpipe, with all journeys free for at least the first year as part of the wider discounts and concessions introduced by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and TfL to support the new Silvertown Tunnel. TfL is also planning to start work shortly on installing new bus stops for the route 129 along Dock Road in Newham which, once open, will make it easier for bus passengers to travel to City Hall and the wider Royal Docks area.

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: “I'm pleased that the new Silvertown Tunnel is already transforming travel in east and southeast London, reducing congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel, improving journey times and providing better cross-river bus routes. You can see its impact from the improved reliability of the 108 bus route which is such as an important service for so many Londoners who use it for work, education and leisure.”

Lorna Murphy, Director of Buses at TfL said: “The new Silvertown Tunnel is already having a positive effect on bus services in this area of London, helping to reduce congestion and provide an alternative route for buses should there be any incidents in the Blackwall Tunnel. Thousands of journeys are being made on our bus services using the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnel every day and we are committed to ensuring that our bus services are convenient, green and accessible for all.”

TfL is continuing to monitor and collate data about the performance of the Silvertown Tunnel and will be publishing further information in due course.

For more information on bus services using the Silvertown Tunnel, please visit https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/silvertown-tunnel-bus-changes.