Motorists will face new daily charges to use the Blackwall Tunnel (Image: Getty)
has confirmed exactly when thousands of road users will be liable for a
New fees at the Blackwall Tunnel in will launch this year, when the in east London.
The Blackwall Tunnel is a key artery on the London map, connecting Tower Hamlets with Greenwich.
The tunnel has been free to use since it was opened back in 1897 but as part of a massive change.
April 7, 2025, has now been earmarked as the launch date with TfL previously promising a Spring launch for the
The new charges will come into effect from April (Image: Getty)
TfL predicts around 100,000 people will use the Blackwall tunnel per day with around 15,000 using the new Silvertown route.
TfL said: “The Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels charge will be introduced once Silvertown Tunnel opens.
“Once Silvertown Tunnel opens, you will need to pay each time you drive through either Blackwall or Silvertown tunnel unless you or your vehicle are exempt from paying the charge.”
Car owners will pay £4 to use the tunnel during peak hours meaning some commuters could be forced to splash out £8 per day to get to work.
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Peak hours are understood to be between 06am and 10am on the northbound route and 4pm to 7pm on the southbound road, Monday to Friday.
Off-peak, cars will pay just £1.50 to use the tunnels between 6am and 10pm daily, including at weekends.
Large vans will pay £6.50 on-peak and £2.50 off-peak, with owners of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) paying up to £10 to use the new roads.
Cameras will read car number plates as vehicles drive into the tunnel which will automatically detect whether road users are liable to pay a fee.
However, officials have confirmed there will be no barriers or tollbooths at either side of the tunnel.
TfL warns road users will have up until midnight on the third day after a journey to pay their fees.
Motorists who don’t pay on time could be hit with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) which will be a major blow to those unaware of the new scheme.
Charges have only been introduced at the Blackwall Tunnel to ensure congestion doesn’t dramatically rise.
There were some concerns that road users would simply dodge the new Silvertown link in favour of the Blackwall route if it was completely free.
TfL added: “The tunnel charge is being introduced to help manage traffic levels across both tunnels, repay costs for building the new Silvertown Tunnel and go towards its ongoing maintenance and operation.”