FOI request detail

Silvertown & Blackwall Tunnel Tolls

Request ID: FOI-2660-2425
Date published: 20 December 2024

You asked
Follow-up from FOI-2061-2425: Further to my previous mail (Our Ref: FOI-2061-2425), I was not sufficiently satisfied three of the original the questions I was asking. I would like to gain further clarification on both of these if you would not mind. I have formatted both my original questions and TfL responses in red and italic below. I am not classifying this as an appeal, however, you may view this as an appeal: • On what date was the finalised toll rates for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels (published in the public consultation) first disclosed to London Assembly to be reviewed? The user charges are not yet finalised but the proposed charges were first disclosed to all stakeholders when the consultation opened on 10 July 2024. The final charges will be confirmed by the TfL Board on 4 December, who will consider responses from the consultation including the Silvertown Tunnel Implementation Group which includes representation from Assembly Members and London boroughs. May I re-phrase that question or pose it in a different way: When the TfL consultation was published to the generally public on 10 July 2024, these were proposed toll rates and of course they are not final until ratified by City Hall. Were the proposed toll rates, circulated to the public within the TfL consultation on 10 July 2024, presented to the Mayor and London assembly prior to publication of the TfL consultation. And if so, on what specific date were the proposed toll rates made aware to both the Mayor of London and the London Assembly? • What analysis was conducted to determine the duration of the morning and evening peak toll rates? • On what basis was it decided that northbound journeys in the mornings and southbound journeys in the evenings should pay the peak toll rates? The peak periods and directions periods were determined through analysis of current traffic flows at the Blackwall tunnel and forecast flows at the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels. We will continue to monitor these traffic flows once the Silvertown tunnel opens. Can you be more specific on the “peak periods and directions periods” analyses in terms of metrics or quantities conducted for “current traffic flows”, as well as providing similar data or information on the “forecast flows”?

We answered

Our Ref:        FOI-2660-2425

 

Thank you for your request received on 22 November 2024 asking for further information about the tolls for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels.

 

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. You asked:

 

When the TfL consultation was published to the generally public on 10 July 2024, these were proposed toll rates and of course they are not final until ratified by City Hall. Were the proposed toll rates, circulated to the public within the TfL consultation on 10 July 2024, presented to the Mayor and London assembly prior to publication of the TfL consultation. And if so, on what specific date were the proposed toll rates made aware to both the Mayor of London and the London Assembly?

 

Prior to the public consultation, the proposed charges were shared with the Mayor on 21 May.

 

Can you be more specific on the “peak periods and directions periods” analyses in terms of metrics or quantities conducted for “current traffic flows”, as well as providing similar data or information on the “forecast flows”?

 

An example of traffic flows through Blackwall Tunnel can be found in Figure 3.18 and 3.19 of the Transport Assessment published for the examination to gain development consent which presents weekday traffic flow by hour and by direction. Observed traffic data such as this alongside traffic model forecasts helped inform the user charge proposals published for the examination. Prior to our recent public consultation on the user charge we analysed up to date observed traffic data alongside refreshing our model forecasts which continued to support the peak and off peak timings and peak direction proposals.

 

If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

 

Yours sincerely 

 

Gemma Jacob

Senior FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

 

[email protected]

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