London’s Blackwall Tunnel is an iconic and essential transportation artery that connects the north and south banks of the River Thames. Spanning from Tower Hamlets to Greenwich, this tunnel serves as a crucial link for commuters, freight traffic, and visitors alike. However, it’s important to be aware of the various restrictions and charges associated with it to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey. In this article, we will explore Blackwall Tunnel charges, weight limit, height and width restrictions, as well as the potential fines that motorists may face for non-compliance.
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Blackwall Tunnel Toll Charge
Since the Blackwall Tunnel opened on the 22nd May 1897 (the current northbound bore) there hasn’t been a toll charge for using either tunnel. However, that is about the change. With the construction of the Silvertown Tunnel to be completed in 2025, there will then become a charge to use either the Blackwall or Silvertown Tunnel. The charge levels will differ for different types of vehicles using the tunnels, these charge levels will be decided closer to the opening date.
Blackwall Tunnel ULEZ Charge
In an effort to combat air pollution and improve the city’s air quality, Transport for London (TfL) has implemented an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge for certain vehicles traveling through the Blackwall Tunnel. The ULEZ charge is part of London’s broader initiative to reduce harmful emissions and encourage the use of cleaner vehicles.
The ULEZ charge applies to most vehicles that don’t meet emission standards, including cars, motorcycles, vans, minibuses (up to and including 5 tonnes) and specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes). Larger vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes) such as vans, lorries or specialist vehicles and minibuses, coaches and buses (over 5 tonnes) don’t need to pay the ULEZ charge. They will instead need to pay the LEZ charge if they don’t meet the emission standards.
The LEZ zone covers most of Greater London and runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with varying daily charges from £100 – £300. The ULEZ zone currently covers all areas within the North (A406) and South (A205) Circular Roads. The North and South Circular roads themselves are not in the ULEZ zone. However, from 29th August 2023, the ULEZ zone will be expanding to match the current LEZ zone. The ULEZ zone runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except Christmas Day, with a daily charge of £12.50. Blackwall Tunnel is currently within both the LEZ and ULEZ zones.
Blackwall Tunnel Weight Limit
There doesn’t seem to be any specific vehicle weight restrictions from TfL in relation to travelling through Blackwall Tunnel. So it would be best to follow The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 regarding the maximum vehicle weights permitted for each vehicle class on UK roads. If in doubt, please contact TfL directly.
Blackwall Tunnel Height and Width Restrictions
To ensure the smooth flow of traffic and the safety of all road users, the Blackwall Tunnel imposes height restrictions on vehicles. The current height limit for vehicles using the Northbound tunnel is 4.0 meters (13.0 feet) and 4.7m (15.6 feet) for the Southbound tunnel.
There doesn’t seem to be any specific vehicle width restrictions from TfL in relation to travelling through Blackwall Tunnel. So it would be best to follow The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 regarding the maximum vehicle widths permitted for each vehicle class on UK roads. If in doubt, please contact TfL directly.
Blackwall Tunnel Fines
Non-compliance with the regulations and restrictions in the Blackwall Tunnel can lead to fines and penalties. The exact amount of fines may vary depending on the specific violation and the vehicle type involved. As of 2023, the Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) that could be issued from Blackwall Tunnel are:
- LEZ PCN – If the charge is not paid by midnight on the third day after travel, there are varying charge amounts ranging from £500 – £2000, depending of vehicle type and size. A 50% reducing in the fine amount is given if paid within 14 days.
- ULEZ PCN – If the charge is not paid by midnight on the third day after travel, there is a charge of £180. A 50% reducing in the fine amount is given if paid within 14 days.
- Breaching height, weight or width restrictions can also lead to fines and penalties, including potential damage liabilities. It is an offence to ignore these restrictions and motorists can be subject to a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of three points on your driving license and a fine or prosecution.
Appeal A Blackwall Tunnel Fine
A PCN or FPN issued due to an offence caused in Blackwall Tunnel will be issued by TfL or Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). A PCN is covered by The Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions law, which makes the registered keeper liable for the payment of the charge. If you do decide to appeal a Blackwall Tunnel charge, some points to consider when deciding to appeal:
- As the registered keeper of the vehicle, you may have received a PCN, but you weren’t the driver at the time of the offence. If this is the case, you can appeal the PCN and input in the correct driver details.
- Check all the information on the PCN is incorrect, such as the date, street name, vehicle registration, time, etc.
TLDR: Blackwall Tunnel Charge
- There is currently no toll to use the Blackwall Tunnel. The completition of the Silvertown Tunnel will introduce a change to use either tunnel;
- Blackwall Tunnel falls under the LEZ and ULEZ zones, which incur charges if your vehicle doesn’t meet the correct emission standards;
- The height restrictions for Blackwall Tuneel are 4.0 meters (13.0 feet) for the Northbound tunnel and 4.7m (15.6 feet) for the Southbound tunnel. Other restrictions fall under The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986;
- Not paying the LEZ or ULEZ charge could result in you receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Not adhering to height, weight or width restrictions could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of three points on your driving license and a fine or prosecution.
Sources used to write this article:
Another money making scam from the corrupt mayor
With the introduction of these charges through Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels, and Dartford Crossing, there is no way to cross the Thames for free to/from East London and Kent. With the added bonus of the ULEZ expansion, it really makes you wonder who is really going to benefit from all these fees, because it won’t be the public.
Looks like the charges are either ULEZ or LEZ which we knew was happening because of the expansion of the ULEZ due end of August. Nowhere does it say there will be an introduced toll charge (checked the r reference documents too). Is this a scaremongering article to boil the blood of us motorists who are already sick to the back teeth of being the easy target when government want to raise more money so that we all pile out onto the roads in protest? If so, it almost worked…
If you checked the references we quoted, you would have seen the toll charges are planned. It specifically states:
“Once the Silvertown Tunnel opens, drivers must pay a user charge for using either the Blackwall or the Silvertown Tunnel.”
The info can be found here:
https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/silvertown-tunnel
Scroll down to User Charges, and you’ll see it all outlined there.