A new report from Transport for London (TfL) has found that the new Silvertown Tunnel has improved journeys since its opening in April 2025, with faster times and higher reliability reported across the board.
Additional benefits touted by the report include sustainability benefits such as a four-fold rise in cross-river bus journeys and a notable drop in nitrogen dioxide concentrations.
The first new road Thames crossing east of Tower Bridge in 33 years; the tunnel connects Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula in east London in an effort to boost network performance and resilience while supporting economic and population growth, providing improved cross-river transport links and managing congestion in the area through road user charging.
Data from the first year of operation has shown that the road network has been proven to be more resilient and reliable, and has improved journeys for local businesses as well as essential freight. As well as providing a brand-new cross-river route, the Silvertown Tunnel has reduced congestion in other areas, with quicker journeys through the Blackwall Tunnel at all times in both directions and a 23% reduction in the number of over-height vehicle incidents at the Blackwall Tunnel.
Peak journey times on the A102 northbound approach to the Blackwall Tunnel from Sun in the Sands have reduced by 58% in the morning and 47% in the evening, with weekday cross-river traffic using both tunnels remaining lower than pre-opening levels seen at just the Blackwall Tunnel and analysis of the wider road network showing overall stable traffic volumes on key corridors of the A2, A12 and A13.
Monitoring has revealed that nitrogen dioxide concentrations have decreased by 17% on average compared with the year before the tunnel opened, with nitrogen dioxide concentrations measured in the year since the tunnel opened found to be significantly below thresholds set by the UK Air Quality Strategy, with the highest average concentration being 26.3 µg/m3 – a significant number under the annual limit of 40 µg/m3.
Currently, over 30,000 journeys are being made each day across the new SL4 and extended 129 routes through the new tunnel as well as the existing 108 service through the Blackwall Tunnel. It has been estimated that a third of these journeys cross the river through the two tunnels – an increase of 290% on the year before – meaning that more than one in ten (11 per cent) cross-river trips through the two tunnels are made by public transport.
Statistics also show that route 108 has become more reliable, offering shorter waits and journey times. These bus routes are intended to complement a free cycle service between North Greenwich and Royal Docks, which sees an average weekday demand of around 100-130 cyclists.
Bus journeys through the Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels remained free until 26 May 2026, with over 10 million passengers making use of the free travel offer on the Silvertown Tunnel bus network within its first year of operation. Additionally, cross-river trips on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) were also made free, with an average of 5,025 DLR free trips each week and more than 260,000 over the year.
In order to manage traffic demand, minimise environmental impacts and ensure the new tunnel achieved its objectives, TfL was required to introduce user charges for both the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels. These charges will increase in line with inflation from 21 September 2026 while existing discounts for eligible residents, businesses and Blue Badge holders will remain in place.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:This analysis shows that the Silvertown Tunnel is proving a success, not only cutting journey times but encouraging more sustainable transport so we can keep cleaning up our air. I'm particularly pleased to see major reductions in congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel benefitting businesses and local residents.
The Silvertown Tunnel is already transforming travel across the Thames as we continue building a greener, fairer, better London for everyone.
