London’s Black Cab drivers are conflicted over whether a £2.2billion Thames tunnel project will reduce congestion and lead to faster journey times for commuters.
The Silvertown Tunnel, which connects Tower Hamlets to Greenwich, is set to open on 7 April but cabbies remain sceptical about the difference it will make as traffic builds around the Blackwall Tunnel during rush hour.
Bill Burbrick, a taxi driver of 15 years from Eltham, explained Blackwall Tunnel is consistently blocked up in the mornings and evenings, but he remains hopeful Silvertown Tunnel will make his job easier.
The 60-year-old said: “There might only be slight changes, but these slight bits will help in the end.”
The opening coincides with the introduction of toll charges of £4 at peak time journeys for cars and small vans crossing the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, which will be used to repay Riverlinx, the private company which initially paid for the project.
Business for London’s Black Cab drivers was affected by the long journey times across the tunnel, and they hope to benefit from an exemption from the toll along with the projected faster journeys.
Ubers and other private taxis will have to pay the toll to use the subterranean roads.
Burbrick said: “They have every other perk. I rent this taxi, which gets on about £70,000 to buy.”
Other drivers are less hopeful, fearing that the new tunnel is too little too late at a time roads outside central London are increasingly busy.
Hikes in the congestion charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) are also being blamed for busier roads in outer London.
A Greenwich black cab driver, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “Every single day there is a hold up of some kind.
“I fear once the tunnel is finished it will just create more traffic.”
A free shuttle service has been announced for cyclists through the Silvertown Tunnel with built-in bike racks, as riding is not allowed through the new route for safety reasons.
Bike safety campaign group Greenwich Cyclists criticised the efficiency of the new cycle shuttle.
A statement from the group said: “The last thing a cyclist needs is to be delayed, waiting for a motor vehicle to allow them to continue their journey.
“If it [the bike shuttle] goes ahead, it will be scrapped as a cost saving within a year or so of launch.”
Transport for London (TfL) has indicated there are no plans to remove the bike shuttle.
The maximum average journey at evening peak times across the Blackwall Tunnel ranges from 14 to 29 minutes for southbound journeys and 12 to 15 minutes for those travelling north, according to TfL.
Southbound journey times are forecast to reduce by up to 14 minutes once the Silvertown Tunnel is open, yet TFL acknowledged traffic could increase as drivers seek to benefit from reduced delays.
Toll charges for both tunnels will not apply for blue badge holders, registered minibuses and coaches, or wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles registered with TfL.
Residents on low-income benefits in boroughs such as Greenwich and Tower Hamlets will receive a 50% discount on tunnel charges.
A full list of boroughs and further detail regarding eligibility can be found on the TfL website.
TfL were approached for comment.
Featured Picture Credit: Photo taken by Christian Maddock
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