A shuttle bus service for is set to launch through the Silvertown Tunnel, despite overwhelming feedback suggesting cyclists are unlikely to use it.
Transport for London (TfL), headed up by Mayor , has confirmed plans to push ahead with the project exclusively for cyclists, even though its own consultation revealed that a ferry service was far more popular.
The service will operate at least every 12 minutes, linking Greenwich Peninsula with Silvertown via the newly built tunnel.
Running from 6.30am to 9.30pm, it will be free for at least the first year after launching in spring 2025, when the tunnel is scheduled to open.
TfL is now seeking a bus operator to run the service, which it has pledged to maintain for a minimum of three years.
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Sadiq Khan’s TFL is scheduled to open the Silvertown tunnel in April (Image: GETTY)
A consultation undertaken by TfL last year attracted 684 responses, including feedback from 21 stakeholder groups.
When asked about their likely use of a bike bus, the IFS cable car, or both to cross the river, 225 respondents supported the shuttle bus, while 140 preferred the cable car. However, 236 respondents indicated they would use neither.
TfL’s consultation report, published alongside the proposed £4 peak toll for cars using the tunnel, noted: “We also observed that the ferry option was popular among respondents, with nearly 80% stating they would consider using a ferry service if it were offered in the future.”
The report added: “In the longer term, we aim to provide excellent connectivity for all modes of transport across the river in this part of London.
London bicycle commuters (Image: Getty)
“We will continue to explore the ferry option and collaborate with private sector partners to develop the necessary infrastructure, including cycle-friendly piers and vessels.”
Cyclists are currently barred from using both the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels for safety reasons.
The new service will employ vehicles designed to store bicycles internally, as opposed to the previously considered trailer-and-minibus system.
Stops will be located near the Tidal Basin Roundabout/Western Gateway on the northern side of the river, and on Millennium Way on the Greenwich Peninsula.
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A majority of respondents (54% or 328 people) said they would not pay a fare for the shuttle bus, while 40% (246 people) said they would. Additionally, over 90 cyclists called for a dedicated cycle lane or tunnel at Silvertown.
Posting on X, the London Cycling Campaign said: “The cycle shuttle is mainly to deflect the fact that motor traffic will increase. Cycling is an afterthought – the stops aren’t even in the right place to connect well to nearby cycle routes.”
Karin Tearle, a former Green party candidate for the London Assembly, said: “It looks to me like this cycle bus was an after-thought, a bit of PR to silence critics.
“Sadiq Khan says he wants us to use public transport & participate in active travel but this won’t be easy.”
It looks to me like this cycle bus was an after thought,a bit of PR to silence critics. Sadiq Khan says he wants us to use public transport & participate in active travel but this won’t be easy.
— Karin Tearle (@BELLEGREENWICH)
However, TfL said: “We have carefully considered whether cyclists could be accommodated within the new Silvertown Tunnel. Analysis showed there would be limited demand for such a facility, and designing one that is both safe and attractive to cyclists would present significant challenges given the tunnel’s length.
“Allowing bikes in the bus lane would not be acceptable from a road safety perspective due to the tunnel’s constrained environment and the impact on the speed and reliability of buses.”
The cable car, which cyclists can use for free during morning rush hours, already provides a similar route to the Silvertown Tunnel.
TfL has defended the need for a dedicated bike bus, stating: “The cable car cannot operate in certain conditions, such as adverse weather, making it less suitable for commuter use.
“Furthermore, the cable car is shared with pedestrians, often leading to long waits for cyclists. The shuttle bus resolves this issue by being restricted to cyclists only.”