A year after opening, the Silvertown Tunnel is delivering faster journeys, cleaner air and a major boost to public transport across south east London, according to a new report from Transport for London (TfL).
The 1.4km tunnel, which links Silvertown with the Greenwich Peninsula, opened on 7 April 2025 as the first new road crossing east of Tower Bridge in more than 30 years.
TfL says the tunnel has significantly reduced congestion around the Blackwall Tunnel, improved journey reliability and encouraged many more people to travel by bus across the River Thames.
Journey times slashed at Blackwall Tunnel
Drivers approaching the Blackwall Tunnel northbound from Sun in the Sands have seen some of the biggest improvements.
During peak periods, morning journey times have fallen by 58 per cent, while evening peak journeys are 47 per cent quicker than before the Silvertown Tunnel opened.
The report also found:
- 23 per cent fewer over-height vehicle incidents at the Blackwall Tunnel.
- More reliable journeys for businesses, freight operators and commuters.
- Stable traffic levels across key routes including the A2, A12 and A13, despite the additional Thames crossing.
Cleaner air for local communities
TfL says improved traffic flow has also benefited air quality in communities around the crossings.
Average nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations have fallen by 17 per cent compared with the year before the tunnel opened.
The highest recorded annual average concentration was 26.3µg/m³, well below the UK legal limit of 40µg/m³.
Huge increase in cross-river bus travel
Public transport use has also surged thanks to new zero-emission bus services using the dedicated bus lane through the Silvertown Tunnel.
Around 21 zero-emission buses every hour now serve the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels, with more than 30,000 passenger journeys each day being made on the SL4, extended 129, and 108 routes.
Cross-river bus journeys have increased by an estimated 290 per cent, meaning around 11 per cent of all trips through the two tunnels are now made by public transport.
Passengers using the 108 bus, which connects Stratford International with Lewisham, have also benefited from around 28 per cent less excess waiting time, making journeys more reliable.
Meanwhile, TfL’s free cycle shuttle between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks continues to carry around 100 to 130 cyclists each weekday.
Millions made use of free travel offer
To encourage people to switch to public transport, bus journeys through the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels were free until 26 May 2026.
During the first year:
- More than 10 million free bus journeys were made.
- More than 260,000 cross-river Docklands Light Railway (DLR) journeys were refunded.
- Around 5,025 free DLR trips were made every week on average.
Tunnel charges to rise in September
TfL says the user charges introduced for both the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels have successfully managed traffic demand while helping fund the operation and maintenance of the crossings.
Charges will increase in line with inflation from 21 September 2026, although existing discounts for eligible residents, businesses and Blue Badge holders will remain.
Compliance with the charging scheme remains high at around 90 per cent, while more than 3.7 million vehicles are now registered for TfL Auto Pay, accounting for over 80 per cent of tunnel charge payments.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the findings showed the tunnel was “cutting journey times” while encouraging more sustainable travel and helping to improve London’s air quality.
TfL says it will continue monitoring traffic, air quality and environmental impacts around the tunnel until at least April 2028, with further reports published during the monitoring period.
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