Transport for London is warning drivers that the Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to southbound traffic across the weekends of 30 September – 2 October and 7-9 October.
TfL says the works, which are linked to the Silvertown Tunnel construction, will the enable the completion of the realignment of the southbound carriageway, which will carry the existing road over the entrance to the new tunnel. Resurfacing and drainage work will also take place throughout the closures. Once completed, the southbound carriageway will be ready for when the Silvertown Tunnel opens in 2025.
The northbound Blackwall Tunnel will not be affected by these closures.
Drivers of HGVs, as well as vans more than two metres in height or weighing more than two tonnes, are being advised to consider routes away from central London across the weekend where possible. However, to help reduce the burden on other river crossings, the Woolwich Ferry will also operate a special service every 15/20 minutes from 7am-6pm during the weekend closures.
Following these closures, TfL and Riverlinx will begin to implement changes to the northbound carriageway on the approach to the northbound Blackwall Tunnel in preparation for the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel in 2025. Lane restrictions are expected to be implemented later this year, and these works may impact southbound traffic on occasions, but TfL and Riverlinx are committed to maintaining two lanes through the Blackwall Tunnel during these works. A further closure of the southbound tunnel will also occur in late October or early November to support these works to the northbound carriageway.
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 throughout these closures. 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.”
To help inform drivers, additional variable messaging signs will be placed on the main roads approaching the Blackwall Tunnel. TfL sas it has also worked with third party app providers such as Waze to help ensure drivers who regularly use the Blackwall Tunnel are alerted to the southbound closure and that the closure is shown in any route-planning over the weekend.
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.
During the closures, TfL will also take the opportunity to carry out works within and around the tunnel, to help deliver future maintenance work more efficiently and ensure the tunnel can continue to safely operate.
(Picture – TfL)
