Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels: Mayor proposes discount for some users

The London mayor has written to the government to say he is considering a low-income residents' discount for the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels.

Both east London tunnels will have tolls from 2025, although no specific charge has been decided.

Sadiq Khan said the impact on Londoners who might struggle to afford the fees needed to be mitigated.

Mr Khan has asked that any discounts should not affect funding for Transport for London (TfL).

A spokesperson for the mayor said the tunnels were vital for the future of east London, particularly for tackling congestion which affects residents and businesses.

The plans for both tunnels were originally made by former mayor Boris Johnson and signed off by then-Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

There was a public consultation in 2015, and the idea of giving residents in the surrounding areas any exemptions was rejected.

Mr Khan said in a letter addressed to Transport Secretary Mark Harper: "Years on from that decision, local residents in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Greenwich are facing a severe cost-of-living crisis, and, whereas west London residents have multiple free options to cross the river, people in east London currently rely solely on the Blackwall Tunnel."

Built in the Victorian era for horses and carts, the Blackwall Tunnel is the only road crossing east of London, according to National Highways.

Due to its age, it is not suitable for modern traffic - incidents relating to this lead to about 700 closures a year.

It only needs to be closed for six minutes to cause a three-mile tailback.

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