Transport for London
Dangerous goods in tunnels
What you can carry through London's tunnels depends on the tunnel's category. In some you can't take dangerous goods at all.
Dangerous goods are ones that are dangerous to transport. They range from explosives and acids to paints, solvents and pesticides.
Search the dangerous goods database
Tunnels in London restricting all dangerous goods (category E)
- Limehouse
- Rotherhithe
- Blackwall (northbound and southbound)
- East India Dock Road
Some UN numbers can go through these tunnels.
Part-restricted tunnels (category C)
Dartford River Crossing
Tunnel category signs
The category for each tunnel will be clearly signposted by these signs.
Enforcement
If you break the law and carry restricted goods through tunnels you could receive a fine or even a jail sentence.
The regulations are enforced by The Health and Safety Executive, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, and the police.
The legislation
The European Agreement, "International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road" (ADR) prohibits the carriage of dangerous goods through certain categories of tunnel.
Dangerous Goods and the Woolwich Ferry
Any vehicle or trailer transporting any dangerous or harmful substances listed in the Dangerous Goods List within the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) is prohibited from being conveyed on the Woolwich Ferry.
This will exclude any fuel contained in the tanks of the vehicle performing transport operations and destined for its propulsion or for the operation of any of its equipment.
Even though the Woolwich Ferry crossing is short, for the purposes of dangerous goods it is classified by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as a sea journey and the requirements of the IMDG code therefore apply.
Find out more from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
