A CRUCIAL bridge used by more than 100,000 drivers every day is set to begin charging drivers a £13 toll.
The charges will come into force next week – when a return journey at peak times will cost £8 for cars and up to £13 for van drivers.
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This comes with the opening of the new Silvertown Tunnel which will link east and southeast London, stretching from Newham to the Greenwich Peninsula.
It is the first new road crossing to open over the Thames for more than 50 years, with the hopes of reducing congestion in the neighbouring Blackwell Tunnel and saving commuters up to 20 minutes.
The project has cost £2.2 billion, funded by private finance and £100m a year pledged by Transport for London (TfL) from money made through the toll charges.
Drivers will have to pay the toll by phone or online, with the easiest method to use Auto Pay by linking payment cards to an account.
Commuters can still opt to use the free roads which above the tunnels.
Campaign group Stop Silvertown Tunnel Coalition, however, have argued the new opening will actually increase congestion and emissions.
Similarly, the City Bridge Foundation (CBF) who are custodians of five of the Thames’ bridges, are concerned drivers will turn to Tower Bridge as the next closest free river crossing.
Managing director, Simon Latham, told the Times their opposition to the project: “It’s vital we do everything we can to protect the 130-year-old structure and to ensure the free flow of traffic for the 40,000 people and 21,000 vehicles that cross it every day”.
He projects a slowing down of crossing times, traffic flow and the road network.
Councillor for the City of London and CBF board member, James Thompson, has joined groups calling for an impact study to be conducted into additional wear and tear that could be done the iconic London landmark once the tolls are introduced.
He said: “I am concerned that the tolls proposed at Blackwell and Silvertown may increase traffic across Tower Bridge even further,” which was also not designed to take heavy vehicles.
Liberal Democrat candidate, Rob Blackie, has also suggested “this multi-billion pound project…does exactly the opposite” to aims of cutting pollution and encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transport.
Free cross-river bus routes will be available to local residents for a year after the tunnel opens, with those living in nearby boroughs eligible for a 50% discount.
Both tunnels will remain open for use 24/7, with peak times being between 6-10am and 4-7pm on weekdays.
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