London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley, Thomas Turrell, has called for Bexley residents and businesses to be given an exemption from the proposed tolls at the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels.
Between July and September Transport for London (TfL) ran a consultation on the rate of the tolls and their proposed exemptions – which Thomas claims do not go far enough. Tolling at the Blackwall was first proposed in 2012 as part of the original plans to build the new Silvertown tunnel. The new crossing is due to open in 2025 which is when tolling at both tunnels is due to begin.
The Mayor is proposing that tolls will be £4 at peak times for cars (£1.50 at off peak times for drivers registered with auto-pay). Motorcycles will also be tolled at £2.50 at peak times (£1.50 for off peak times for those registered for autopay). This means the crossing will be significantly more expensive than the Dartford crossing, where motorcycles are not subject to the tolls and drivers at Dartford pay £2.50 (discounted to £2 if drivers have an account). As with the Dartford crossing, tolling would only apply between 6am and 10pm seven days a week.
Thomas is concerned that the price disparity between the Blackwall/ Silvertown tunnels and Dartford crossing will lead to increased congestion and traffic on local roads with more drivers opting to use Dartford. Thomas has also highlighted that residents east of Tower Bridge have fewer crossings than those to the west, and as a result of these plans the majority of these will now be tolled. This risks significant increase in demand at both the Rotherhithe tunnel and the Woolwich ferry.
Thomas has claimed the discount and exemption scheme being offered by the Mayor do not go far enough to address these concerns and do not offer a fair deal to local drivers and businesses. Currently it is proposed that drivers on low incomes will get a 50% discount on the tolls and small businesses and charities in Greenwich, Newham and Tower Hamlets will a £1 discount during off-peak hours. Thomas says these discounts do not go far enough and wants to see a full exemption scheme offered to Bexley.
Thomas said:
“Drivers and businesses in Dartford and Thurrock enjoy a much more generous exemption scheme than what the Mayor is currently proposing for residents in East and South-East London. Adding to the fact that these plans leaves our corner of London with fewer free river crossings, I will continue to campaign to support drivers and businesses across both Bexley and Bromley.”
