Local councils across London have voiced strong opposition to the new charges for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, which came into effect earlier this month. The controversial charging scheme has sparked different responses from boroughs affected by the river crossings, with many warning of the impact it would have on commuters.Greenwich Council has called for sustainable transport options, while Bromley has criticised charging for the historically free Blackwall Tunnel. Meanwhile, Bexley Council has condemned the peak-time charging structure as “unfair” and discriminatory against its residents.Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected] charges, which vary depending on direction and time of travel, were introduced on April 7 and have become a significant point of contention between outer London boroughs and Transport for London.Greenwich Council emphasised the need for sustainable transport options in their response to the consultation on the tunnel charges. In a letter to Transport for London last August, Councillor Averil Lekau requested “at least two (of the four) bores to be repurposed for sustainable transport.” The Royal Borough also argued that car toll charges should be more than a normal bus fare, suggesting the initially proposed £1.50 was too low compared to the £1.75 bus fare.They also supported exemptions for NHS workers, licensed TfL taxis, emergency vehicles and Blue Badge holders. But Bromley Council has expressed disappointment over the new charges, particularly for the Blackwall Tunnel.Councillor Nicholas Bennett, Executive Councillor for Transport, Highways & Road Safety, told GB News: “We welcome the new tunnel. “We are sorry that despite many representations to TfL, the new SL4 bus, which connects Grove Park to Canary Wharf through the tunnel, was not extended to Bromley Town centre, although we offered a suitable terminus and bus stand. “We also feel that charging for the Blackwall Tunnel, which has been free since its opening in 1897, is unfair on motorists as the cost of building both tunnels were paid off many years ago.”Bexley Councillor Richard Diment described the charges as “a real kick in the teeth for our residents and small businesses who are being treated unfairly.”The council highlighted that the peak rate charges apply to those travelling northbound from 6am to 10am and southbound from 4pm to 7pm. This timing structure particularly impacts Bexley residents who commute to work in north London. “Residents and businesses in Bexley have no choice but to use the tunnels given the lack of modern public transport links,” Diment added. The charging structure means a Bexley resident who has registered for Auto Pay would pay £4 each way during peak times, totalling £8 daily.LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:Rachel Reeves’ car taxes could hit certain age groups with £5,000 price rises amid new Labour rulesPetrol and diesel drivers issued dire fuel station warning with Britons at risk of ‘costly mistake’DVLA issues warning to British homeowners as they face £1,000 fine for driving licence issueBut Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan defended the tunnel opening, stating that it will reduce journey times, “help to manage pollution levels and improve cross-river public transport”. He said: “We made a series of significant improvements to make the scheme greener and to include a package of measures to support Londoners, residents and businesses. “This includes ensuring there are discounts and concessions in place, reserving a lane for double-decker buses, a free innovative cycle-shuttle service and free bus travel for pedestrians, which will encourage more people to switch to greener modes of transport.”
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