Britain’s newest tunnel is HIKING fees to £4.20 today in blow to millions of drivers

BRITAIN’S newest tunnel is hiking its prices today in a blow to millions of drivers. Charges are set to increase to £4.20 for certain vehicles, while others will have to fork out up to £10.50 to cross the River Thames. Charges for the Silvertown Tunnel are increasing today, with both off-peak and peak charges set to rise Credit: Getty The Blackwell Tunnel will also see the same price changes, with some drivers now paying up to £4.20 to cross the River Thames Credit: Getty Charges for the Silvertown tunnel are rising from today, with drivers now paying between 3.3 and 5 per cent more, depending on vehicle type and time of day travelled. Motorists will see the same increase in prices for the Blackwall Tunnel too. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! While the Blackwall Tunnel has been in operation since 1897, the new Silvertown Tunnel first opened in 2025. Charges for both tunnels were introduced in 2025, marking the first time motorists had to pay for the Blackwall Tunnel. According to the TfL website, charges are enforced to help manage traffic levels across the tunnels, pay back costs incurred for building the Silvertown Tunnel and assist with the maintenance and operation of the two tunnels. Cars and small vans are set to see an increase by 5p for off-peak travel to £1.55, while the peak charge will rise by 20p to £4.20. For motorcycles, mopeds and motor tricycles, off-peak charges have risen by 5p to £1.55, with peak charge increasing by 10p to £2.60. Off-peak charges for large vans have increased by 10p to £2.60 and peak charges are now 30p more at £6.80. Most read in Motors Heavy goods vehicles off-peak charges have risen by 25p to £5.25 while peak charges have increased by 50p to £10.50. While the tunnels are open 24 hours a day, charges apply between the hours of 06.00 to 22.00, seven days a week and in both directions. Peak charges, which are higher, occur at certain busier times and apply between 06.00-10.00 northbound and 16.00-19.00 southbound on weekends. Charges are applicable on all bank holidays, except Christmas Day. New tunnel charges rolling out today: Cars and small vans: Off-peak charge – £1.55 Peak charge – £4.20 Motorcycles, mopeds and motor tricycles: Off-peak charge – £1.55 Peak charge – £2.60 Large vans: Off-peak charge – £2.60 Peak charge – £6.80 Heavy goods vehicles: Off peak charge – £5.25 Peak charge – £10.50 Drivers who sign up for Auto Pay can benefit from cheaper, off-peak charges, which are paid through an automatic direct debit. Motorists can also pay online or via the TfL Pay to drive in London app, but will be forced to fork out peak rates at all times. Those who pass through the tunnel have until midnight on the third day after their journey to pay the charge, or risk getting a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Discounts apply for certain users of the tunnel, including a 50 per cent discount for drivers living in 12 East London Boroughs or the City of London who are on certain benefits. A £1 discount for off-peak charges also applies to small businesses, sole traders and charities based in Greenwich, Newham or Tower Hamlets, for up to three vehicles. Only emergency service vehicles, TfL licensed taxis and certain buses and coaches are exempt from tunnel charges, however Blue Badge holders can apply to use them for free. Christina Calderato from TfL, said: “The tunnel user charges are designed to manage traffic demand – which then enables wider objectives like improving the road network’s performance and resilience, encouraging use of public transport and active travel, and supporting economic growth. “Without the tunnel user charge, there would be more traffic and congestion, with negative impacts on air quality and journey times. “A small increase to the tunnel user charges to account for inflation would ensure the user charge remains at the right level to manage traffic demand at the tunnels and achieve the project’s other objectives effectively.” Comment now