Everything you need to know about the Silvertown Tunnel and Blackwall Tunnel charges from April 2025 — toll prices, how to pay, exemptions, and how to travel smart across the Thames in East London.
On 7 April 2025, Transport for London (TfL) introduced charges on two of East London's most important Thames crossings: the Blackwall Tunnel and the brand-new Silvertown Tunnel. For the first time in well over a century, using the Blackwall Tunnel comes at a cost — and if you drive in and around East or South-East London, this change affects you directly.
Whether you're a daily commuter, a delivery driver, a minicab or private hire driver, or simply planning a trip across the river, this guide explains everything you need to know: the exact toll prices, when you pay, how to pay, who is exempt, and the smartest ways to avoid unnecessary charges.
The Blackwall Tunnel has been a free crossing since it opened in 1897. That era is now over. TfL has introduced a user charge on both the Blackwall Tunnel and the newly opened Silvertown Tunnel, which runs roughly parallel to Blackwall beneath the River Thames.
Both tunnels are now subject to the same charging structure. Charges apply in both directions, every day of the week including weekends and bank holidays, between 06:00 and 22:00. Outside of those hours — specifically between 22:01 and 05:59 — both tunnels remain free to use.
The only complete exception to charging is Christmas Day, when both tunnels are free at all times.
The amount you pay is determined by your vehicle type and whether you use TfL Auto Pay. Without Auto Pay, you are always billed at the higher "Peak" rate, regardless of when you actually cross.
| Vehicle Category | Peak Rate (Mon-Fri) | Auto Pay Off-Peak | Manual Payment |
| Motorcycles & Mopeds | £2.50 | £1.50 | £2.50 |
| Cars & small vans | £4.00 | £1.50 | £4.00 |
| Large vans | £6.50 | £2.50 | £6.50 |
| HGVs | £10.00 | £5.00 | £10.00 |
Timing is everything when it comes to saving money on these crossings.
Understanding the charging window is essential to managing your costs. Here is a breakdown:
Charging hours (both tunnels, both directions):
Peak hours (Mon–Fri only, Auto Pay off-peak discount does NOT apply):
Weekends and bank holidays are treated as off-peak all day, meaning Auto Pay users pay the lower rate throughout. This is particularly useful for those planning leisure or family trips on Saturdays and Sundays.
There are no toll booths at either tunnel. Both crossings use an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera system that reads your vehicle registration as you drive through. Payment is made separately, either in advance or after your journey.
Auto Pay is TfL's direct debit system, the same platform used for the Congestion Charge and the Dart Charge. Once registered, your account is billed automatically after each crossing. The key benefit is access to the off-peak discount rate, which is roughly half the peak price for most vehicle types. Over 1.4 million vehicles were already registered with TfL Auto Pay before the tunnel charges launched, and all were automatically enrolled in the new scheme.
To register: visit tfl.gov.uk and set up a TfL Auto Pay account or a TfL Road User Charging Account.
If you are not using Auto Pay, you must pay manually by midnight on the third calendar day following your journey. You can do this at tfl.gov.uk/pay-to-drive, by calling 0343 222 2222, or through the TfL Pay to Drive app. However, be aware that manual payments are always charged at the peak rate — even if you crossed during off-peak hours.
You can also pay up to 90 days in advance if you know you will be using the tunnels. This can be done through the same online payment platform.
Important: Failing to pay by the deadline will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £180. This is reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. Do not miss the payment window.
The decision to charge drivers at both the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels has been planned since 2012, and was formally required as a condition of the development consent granted by the Secretary of State for Transport in 2018. There are three main reasons:
The Blackwall Tunnel is one of the most congested road crossings in the whole of the United Kingdom. The Victorian-era tunnel experiences more than 700 closures per year, often triggered by overheight vehicles or breakdowns in its tight, curved bores. These closures cause enormous tailbacks across East London. Introducing a charge on both tunnels is designed to spread traffic demand more evenly, particularly during peak times.
The Silvertown Tunnel project cost an estimated £2.2 billion and was funded through a private finance model. TfL is obligated to use revenue from user charges to repay the construction debt over time. Without the toll income from both tunnels, the project's financing would be unsustainable.
Both tunnels fall within London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Chronic congestion at Blackwall contributes significantly to poor air quality across Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, and Newham. By reducing the volume of slow-moving traffic idling at the tunnel approaches, TfL aims to lower harmful emissions in the surrounding area.
The Silvertown Tunnel is a brand-new 1.4-kilometre road tunnel running beneath the River Thames, linking Silvertown in the Royal Docks (London Borough of Newham) on the north bank to the Greenwich Peninsula on the south bank. It sits roughly two miles east of the Blackwall Tunnel at its southern entrance, with the northbound exit rejoining the A102 close to the southern approach of the Blackwall Tunnel.
Construction began in 2021, with more than 1.86 million tonnes of material transported to and from the site by river rather than road, removing approximately 110,000 lorry trips from local roads during the build. The tunnel opened to traffic on 7 April 2025.
Its primary purpose is to provide a parallel relief route for the Blackwall Tunnel, reducing congestion and improving journey reliability for drivers heading between East London and South-East London. TfL estimates the new crossing can reduce peak-hour journey times by up to 20 minutes in some instances.
TfL has put in place a broad set of exemptions and concessions. The following vehicles and drivers are automatically exempt from paying:
Note: Zero-emission vehicles are NOT automatically exempt. A ZEC private hire vehicle is only exempt when it is on a TfL-licensed booking. If the same vehicle is being used without a booking, the charge applies.
Residents living in 12 East London boroughs (including Greenwich, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and others in the scheme) who receive qualifying means-tested benefits may apply for a 50% discount on the tunnel charge. This applies to both peak and off-peak rates for Auto Pay users, and to peak rates only for those without Auto Pay. To apply, visit tfl.gov.uk/tunnel-discounts.
Small businesses, sole traders, and charities registered and operating in the boroughs of Greenwich, Newham, or Tower Hamlets are eligible for a £1 discount on the off-peak rate, on up to three vehicles, for at least 12 months from the scheme launch date. This must be applied for separately from Auto Pay registration.
Blue Badge holders are entirely exempt from the charge, but must register to receive the exemption. There is a £10 one-off registration fee. Applications are made through the TfL exemptions portal.
As part of the launch package, TfL introduced several free travel options for at least the first year following the tunnel opening:
If you want to avoid the tunnel charges entirely, there are other options — though each comes with its own limitations:
The Woolwich Ferry is free and connects North Woolwich to Woolwich on the south bank. However, it operates only Monday to Saturday and is subject to lengthy queues, particularly during peak times. It is not a suitable option for time-sensitive journeys.
The Rotherhithe Tunnel connects Rotherhithe (Southwark) with Shadwell (Tower Hamlets). It is free to use, but has strict height and width restrictions that make it unsuitable for most vans, lorries, or larger vehicles.
Both crossings are toll-free, but their central location means they sit within the Congestion Charge Zone. Drivers will need to factor in the congestion charge cost (£15 per day during charging hours) if their journey takes them through that zone.
The Emirates Cable Car (also known as the IFS Cloud Cable Car) connects Royal Victoria Dock to the North Greenwich Peninsula. It is only suitable for pedestrians and cyclists, not vehicles.
Does the charge apply in both directions?
Yes. Each crossing is charged individually. If you go north and then return south later that day, you pay twice.
Do I pay separately for the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels?
Yes. Each tunnel crossing is logged individually by ANPR cameras.
What happens if I do not pay?
TfL will issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £180. Paying within 14 days reduces this to £90.
Is my vehicle exempt from ULEZ as well as the tunnel charge?
Not necessarily. These are separate schemes. A vehicle might be ULEZ-compliant but still subject to the tunnel charge, or vice versa. You must check both statuses independently on the TfL website.
Can cyclists use the Silvertown Tunnel?
No, cyclists and pedestrians cannot enter the tunnels. However, a free cycle shuttle service operates through the Silvertown Tunnel until at least 2028, running every 12 minutes from 06:30 to 21:30.
Do the charges apply to electric vehicles?
Yes. Standard electric vehicles (EVs) are subject to the same charges as petrol/diesel vehicles. Only ZEC private hire vehicles on an active booking are exempt.
What is the TfL vehicle checker?
It is an online tool where you can enter your registration number to confirm your exact tunnel charge category. It is highly recommended to use this to see if your van is classed as "small" or "large," as the price difference is significant.
The introduction of charges at the Blackwall Tunnel and Silvertown Tunnel in April 2025 is one of the most significant changes to road travel in East London in decades. For drivers who are prepared — registered for Auto Pay, aware of peak and off-peak windows, and familiar with available exemptions — the new system is manageable. For those who are unprepared, the risk of PCNs and unexpectedly high travel costs is very real.
The overarching goal of the scheme is not simply to raise revenue, but to reduce some of the most entrenched congestion in the entire UK road network, improve air quality in communities that have suffered from it for generations, and deliver a modern, reliable Thames crossing for East London. The Silvertown Tunnel represents a generational investment in the region's infrastructure — and the toll is the mechanism that makes it financially viable for the long term.
If you drive through this part of London regularly, the message is clear: register for TfL Auto Pay, understand your vehicle category, check your eligibility for discounts, and plan your travel times wisely. Minicab Lane LTD also operates in this area. Contact us for more details about our services and areas we cover.