UK drivers warned over 'avoiding' road instead of having to follow new rule
A substantial number of drivers are shunning the recently launched Silvertown Tunnel - opting to boycott the crossing by refusing to stump up for its contentious toll fees. The route was free but now drivers will be charged up to £4 per journey. Statistics published by Transport for London (TfL) exposed the escalating problem, showing that roughly 13 per cent of motorists are deliberately swerving the crossing charge.
Instead of paying the toll, numerous drivers have switched to the Woolwich Ferry as their preferred option - a change that has triggered a dramatic spike in ferry numbers since the tunnel's launch. During weekdays alone, the ferry has witnessed an extra 1,278 cars each day, marking a 36 per cent jump in traffic.
The effect has proved even more striking at weekends, with daily numbers rocketing by 1,538 vehicles, amounting to a whopping 58 per cent surge, reports Birmingham Live.
The figures highlight growing public defiance against the tunnel fees, as motorists hunt for cost-free alternatives despite extended queuing times and possible hold-ups.
The Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels three-month monitoring report stated: "We are reviewing how to manage potential longer-term increases, for example, with improved real-time information. We expect travel patterns to settle, but will continue to closely monitor the situation."
Opened on April 7, 2025, the Silvertown Tunnel is a new road tunnel in East London that runs beneath the River Thames, connecting Silvertown with Greenwich Peninsula to ease pressure on the Blackwall Tunnel.
The purpose was to manage traffic and generate revenue for improvements related to the tunnel. However, it was met with criticism from drivers, forcing them to find alternative routes to avoid the fees, Highway News explained.
The Mayor of London, Labour Party politician Sadiq Khan, said: "The new data TfL has published today clearly demonstrates the impact the new Silvertown Tunnel is having. It's a big win for London."
"Since it opened in April, we have seen congestion significantly reduced at the Blackwall Tunnel, ensuring more Londoners get to their destination on time. The discounts and concessions we have put in place have also helped to encourage public transport uptake, boosting the numbers of journeys being made on the three cross-river zero emission bus routes by 160 per cent."
Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at TfL, added: "We are fully committed to monitoring the impact of the tunnels, including how it impacts other river crossings and traffic along major and local roads in London."
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