Blackwall Tunnel to close for Southbound traffic this weekend

The closure of the Blackwall Tunnel to southbound traffic is set to take place across this weekend to allow for new drainage and utility ducting to be installed underneath the carriageway.

This means traffic will be required to take alternative routes between Saturday, July 8 to Monday, July 10.

Drivers are advised to plan their routes in advance, checking before they travel so they can consider any other potential traffic impacts or restrictions, such as the height and weight limits at Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge, both of which are outside the Congestion Charge zone.

Drivers of HGVs, as well as vans more than two metres in height or weighing more than two tonnes, are advised to consider routes away from central London across the weekend where possible.

The Woolwich Ferry will operate a one boat service every 15/20 minutes between 7am and 6pm.

Across the weekend, northbound traffic through the Blackwall Tunnel will be maintained via diversion through the southbound tunnel, although drivers have been encouraged to seek alternate routes wherever possible over the weekend to avoid further delays.

The route 108, the only bus route that operates through the Blackwall Tunnel, will be split in two, operating between both Lewisham and North Greenwich and between Canning Town and Stratford.

There will be alternative arrangements put in place on Sunday night into Monday morning.

Customers are advised to then change onto the Jubilee line to cross the river to complete their journeys.

The Mayor’s Hopper fare will mean that customers won’t be charged for any additional bus journeys on the other side of the river, providing they begin within an hour of touching in on the first bus.

During the closure, TfL will also ensure that customers of the route 108 who then use the Jubilee line as part of their journey over the weekend will avoid being charged for the Tube section of their journey.

From 12.01am on Monday (July 10), northbound buses will return to their normal route and southbound buses will be diverted via Tower Bridge until the tunnel is re-opened to southbound traffic.

Carl Eddleston, Director of Network Management and Resilience at TfL said: “The Blackwall Tunnel is used by tens of thousands of vehicles every day and we appreciate that these works will have an impact on some drivers.

“Working with Riverlinx CJV, we have worked hard to try and limit the potential disruption these will cause, such as putting on a special service for the Woolwich Ferry and ensuring a northbound route can be maintained across the two weekends.

“We will also be taking the opportunity to carry out works within and around the tunnel to help deliver future maintenance work more efficiently and ensure it continues to safely operate.”