TWO major roads used by 100k cars daily set to introduce tolls as drivers given just five days to speak up
TWO major roads used by 100,000 cars a day are set to introduce a tolls with drivers given just five days to speak up.
Sadiq Khan’s new car tax will see Brit drivers slapped with a levy to use a pair of tunnels.
Motorists using the Blackwall tunnel or the upcoming Silvertown tunnel will be affected, say Transport for London (TfL).
But drivers have been warned they only have one week left to share their views on the proposed tax.
Brits can only complain and give feedback until Tuesday, September 3 before TfL makes its decision.
The tunnels are set to start charging motorists in 2025 after the Labour Party Mayor fleshed out the proposals in the capital city.
Drivers will be charged £1.50 to use the Blackwall Tunnel and Silvertown Tunnel.
The Silvertown tunnel is still under construction but is set to open in 2025 bringing the charges in with it.
There will be no charge between 10pm and 6am on weekdays or weekends.
But during peak times, a £4 fee will be imposed on northbound trips from 6am to 10am and southbound from 4pm to 7pm on weekdays.
This means a round trip in and out of the centre of the capital will cost £8 a day.
The plans are in the proposal stage but are likely to be approved.
Motorists are not happy as the two-lane Blackwall tunnel has been free to use since it opened in 1897.
However, TfL is proposing to halve these charges for low-income local residents in east London to use either of the road tunnels under the Thames, as well as exempting buses, black taxis and zero-emission cabs.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “Local residents and business owners currently face chronic congestion and pollution in the area around the Blackwall Tunnel.
“When it opens in 2025, the long-planned new Silvertown tunnel will help deliver quicker, more reliable journeys in east London by easing congestion and making journeys up to 20 minutes faster.
“The Silvertown Tunnel scheme has been years in the making, first developed back 2012.
“Since I become Mayor in 2016, we have worked to improve it, adding discounts for low-income residents and local businesses, new bus services, a bespoke cycle shuttle service and free cross-river bus and DLR transport for at least the first year.
“TfL is launching this consultation to get feedback from residents and businesses on the proposals. I encourage Londoners in the area to get involved and have their say.”
The tolls could also rise in the future to keep in line with inflation, TfL’s director of strategy Christina Calderato has admitted.
Christina Calderato, Director of Strategy at TfL, said: “The Silvertown Tunnel is now less than a year away from opening and we are sharing our user charging scheme, so Londoners can have their say on the proposed charge levels and wide range of discounts and exemptions.
“Without introducing tunnel user charges for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, there would likely be high levels of traffic and congestion, which would lead to detrimental air quality impacts, as well as longer journey times.
“This proposed package of supporting measures aims to ensure the scheme is green and fair for Londoners and businesses.
“These measures will ensure that the new tunnel delivers on its objectives of reducing congestion and providing resilience at the Blackwall Tunnel, while ensuring we support local residents on low income, small businesses, sole traders and local charities.”
Drivers who register their vehicle with TfL’s free “Auto Pay” system – already in use for the congestion charge and ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) – can obtain an off-peak discount.
Those who fail to pay the correct fee face a £180 fine.
Mayor Sadiq Khan has pushed ahead with building the Silvertown tunnel in the face of criticism from eco activists, to ease delays on approach roads to the Blackwall tunnel – though critics argue it will only increase traffic.
The Silvertown tunnel, which will cost about £2.2bn in construction and loan repayment fees, connects with the Royal Docks on the north side of the Thames.
It was first announced while former PM Boris Johnson was Mayor of London.