Further closures at Blackwall Tunnel as works continue on Silvertown Tunnel

Transport for London (TfL) has announced another weekend of closures at Blackwall Tunnel as works continue on the Silvertown Tunnel.

Having already closed twice in the last four weeks, the southbound route of the tunnel will shut for another weekend from October 21 to 23.

The tunnel will close to southbound traffic from midnight on the Saturday and reopen at 5am on the Monday morning.

The closure will allow the final road configuration for the Silvertown Tunnel and will also see changes made to Pear Island on the northbound approach to the Blackwall Tunnel.

Changes will also be made to the northbound carriageway to move where three lanes become two on the approach to the Blackwall Tunnel. 

A spokesman from TfL said they are “committed to ensure” the two lanes through the northbound Blackwall Tunnel are maintained while further works are completed.

Northbound traffic will not be affected by these closures as traffic will be diverted through the southbound Blackwall Tunnel. 

However, there will be no access to Tunnel Avenue from the A102 at Pear Island across the weekend. 

The northbound on-slip on Blackwall Lane will also be closed and a signed diversion through the Woolwich Flyover roundabout will be in place. 

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 – both of which are outside the Congestion Charge zone.

Drivers of HGVs, as well as vans more than two metres in height or weighing more than two tonnes, are advised to consider routes away from central London across the weekend where possible.

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.

“We have worked hard to try and limit the potential disruption these will cause, such as ensuring a northbound route can be maintained throughout these closures. We will also be taking the opportunity to carry out works within and around the tunnel to help deliver future maintenance work more efficiently and ensure it continues to safely operate.”

(Picture: TfL)