TfL warns drivers of upcoming closures of southbound Blackwall Tunnel

15 September 2023
  • Southbound Blackwall Tunnel will be closed across the weekends of 30 September - 2 October, and 7-9 October to allow TfL and Riverlinx CJV to complete works to the new southbound carriageway layout as part of the Silvertown Tunnel
  • Weeknight closures of southbound Blackwall Tunnel may also be required between 2-6 October depending on progress made over the weekend
  • Blackwall Tunnel for northbound traffic will remain open and route 108 will be split and terminate at Canning Town station and North Greenwich, with customers using the Jubilee line to cross the river and complete their journeys if required

Transport for London (TfL) has today warned drivers that the Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to southbound traffic across the weekends of 30 September - 2 October and 7-9 October.

The works, which are linked to the Silvertown Tunnel, will the enable the completion of the realignment of the southbound carriageway, which will carry the existing road over the entrance to the new tunnel. 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.

From 00:01 on Saturday 30 September until 05:00 on Monday 2 October, as well as 00:01 on Saturday 7 October until 05:00 on Monday 9 October, the Blackwall Tunnel will be closed for southbound traffic and traffic will be required to take alternative routes. 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, both of which are outside the Congestion Charge zone.

TfL and Riverlinx are also warning drivers that overnight closures to the southbound tunnel may take place between 2-6 October between 23:00 and 05:00 to allow these works to be completed should there be any issues with completing them over the weekend. Confirmation of these closures will be made following the first weekend closure through social media and traffic news alerts, with TfL and Riverlinx committed to working to avoid them where possible.

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. However, to help reduce the burden on other river crossings, the Woolwich Ferry will also operate a special service every 15/20 minutes during the weekend closures between 07:00 and 18:00.

Following these closures, TfL and Riverlinx will begin to implement changes to the northbound carriageway on the approach to the northbound Blackwall Tunnel in preparation for the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel in 2025. Lane restrictions are expected to be implemented later this year, and these works may impact southbound traffic on occasions, but TfL and Riverlinx are committed to maintaining two lanes through the Blackwall Tunnel during these works. A further closure of the southbound tunnel will also occur in late October / early November 2023 to support these works to the northbound carriageway.

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 CJV, 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. 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."

To help inform drivers, additional variable messaging signs will be placed on the main roads approaching the Blackwall Tunnel. TfL has also worked with third party app providers such as Waze to help ensure drivers who regularly use the Blackwall Tunnel are alerted to the southbound closure and that the closure is shown in any route-planning over the weekend.

The route 108, the only bus route that operates through the Blackwall Tunnel, will be split in two, operating between both Lewisham and North Greenwich and between Canning Town and Stratford. There will be alternative arrangements put in place on Sunday night into Monday morning. Customers are advised to then change onto the Jubilee line to cross the river to complete their journeys. The Mayor's Hopper fare will mean that customers won't be charged for any additional bus journeys on the other side of the river, providing they begin within an hour of touching in on the first bus.

During the closures, TfL will also ensure that customers of the route 108 who then use the Jubilee line as part of their journey over the weekend will avoid being charged for the Tube section of their journey. From 00:01 on Monday 2 October, Monday 9 October and any potential midweek Southbound tunnel closures, northbound buses will return to their normal route and southbound buses will be diverted via Tower Bridge until the tunnel is re-opened to southbound traffic.

During the closures, TfL will also take the opportunity to carry out works within and around the tunnel, to help deliver future maintenance work more efficiently and ensure the tunnel can continue to safely operate.

For the latest on how roads are running, please visit: tfl.gov.uk/traffic/status/

Notes to editors

  • Should there be any need for Riverlinx to cancel the works for the October weekend closure, these will be rescheduled for a later weekend in October
  • The Congestion Charge is a £15 daily charge if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone 07:00-18:00 Monday-Friday and 12:00-18:00 on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge
  • The Silvertown Tunnel will provide a public transport-focused river crossing with zero-emission bus links across the Thames. Once open, the crossing, which is within the Ultra-Low Emission Zone and will be subject to a user charge, will also reduce congestion and improve the reliability and resilience of the Blackwall Tunnel, which will improve overall air quality in the local area. The scheme was subject to significant scrutiny as part of the planning process, including a six-month public inquiry, before it was awarded a Development Consent Order by the Secretary of State. For more information on the progress on the Silvertown Tunnel, please see: https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/silvertown-tunnel and https://www.riverlinx.co.uk/
  • Work on the Silvertown Tunnel continues to progress. In late July 2023, main tunnelling works were completed, following the completion of the first bore in February 2023. This means that all main tunnelling works were completed in less than a year. Work on the 'cut and cover' sections of the Silvertown tunnel, which includes the portal entrances, continue to be delivered, as well as the new road layout into the Tidal Basin roundabout in Newham, and link roads into the A2 south of the Blackwall Tunnel