TfL warns drivers of upcoming closures at Blackwall Tunnel

Transport for London (TfL) has warned drivers that the Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to southbound traffic across two upcoming weekends.

The major north-south London artery will be closed between September 30 and October 2, as well as October 7 and 9, for works to realign the southbound carriageway to the entrance of the Silvertown Tunnel.

TfL and Riverlinx – the company in charge of building and maintaining the Silvertown Tunnel – have also warned drivers that there may be overnight closures to the southbound tunnel between October 2 and 6 from 11pm to 5am, if works are not finished over the weekend. 

Resurfacing and drainage work will also take place throughout the closures. 

Once completed, the southbound carriageway will be ready for when the Silvertown Tunnel opens in 2025.

TfL has said that the northbound Blackwall Tunnel will not be affected by these closures. 

Drivers are advised to plan their routes in advance, checking before they travel so they can consider any other potential traffic impacts or restrictions, such as the height and weight limits at Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge.

To help reduce the burden on other river crossings, TfL announced that the Woolwich Ferry will operate a special service every 20 minutes during the weekend closures between 7am and 6pm.

Carl Eddleston, director of network management and resilience at TfL said: “The Blackwall Tunnel is used by tens of thousands of vehicles every day and we appreciate that these works will have an impact on some drivers. 

“Working with Riverlinx, we have worked hard to try and limit the potential disruption these will cause such as putting on a special service for the Woolwich Ferry and ensuring a northbound route can be maintained throughout these closures.”

The Silvertown Tunnel will be built under the Thames, linking Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula in east London. 

Transport for London has said the tunnel will help reduce chronic congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel and allow for better public transport links. 

But, campaign groups like Stop The Silvertown Tunnel Coalition, argue that if completed the tunnel will worsen air pollution in Greenwich, bring more traffic and add to climate change.

Pictured top: Entrance to Blackwall Tunnel (Picture: PA)