Drivers say the Silvertown Tunnel opening has led to long queues for the Woolwich Ferry and a surge in the number of lorries boarding, with motorists preferring to take the free service over paying to cross the river.
According to TfL, the ferry has transported an additional 1,800 vehicles per day on average since the Silvertown Tunnel opened on April 7, while the combined Silvertown and Blackwall corridor now averages 88,000 vehicles across both directions on a typical weekday.
This is a reduction from the 90,000 to 100,000 vehicles that were using the Blackwall Tunnel on an average day before the Silvertown opening. Motorists are charged to use either the Blackwall or Silvertown tunnels, with peak charges for cars costing £4 for just one trip.
Residents living in 12 East London boroughs or the City of London, and on certain benefits, could be eligible for a 50 per cent discount on the tunnels charge, but they have to apply to TfL. Around 3,500 residents are currently registered for this discount.
Woolwich resident Dev Der uses the ferry two or three days a week to get to his office in Canary Wharf. He said it has been “a pain” to queue for the ferry, which often takes him 30 to 45 minutes at peak times, but he will continue to use it because he feels the £8 daily charge to use the tunnels is too high.
Greenwich resident Loong Chung said: “I use [the ferry] when the queue isn’t too bad and I am willing to queue if it’s less than 30 minutes’ wait.
“£8 for a return trip is just too much. If I’m not in a rush, I will try to use the ferry or the Rotherhithe Tunnel.”
Tony Silver, also from Greenwich, said using the Blackwall Tunnel was now “a pleasure” with less traffic. Mr Silver also said he had to queue for an hour to use the ferry during rush hour, but throughout the rest of the day it was fairly quiet.
Thamesmead resident Letisha Hyde was a frequent user of the ferry to get to work and get her children to school and nursery. Now she chooses to use the tunnels because of how busy the ferry has gotten.
She said: “I was expecting the ferry to be a lot busier since the tunnel charges and it definitely is. However, there is always a two boat service, which runs until later now.
“Congestion at peak times wouldn’t be as bad if the lorries weren’t taking up so much space; it’s like a cargo ship at times. Since the tunnel the amount of lorries in the morning has tripled and one lorry alone takes up three to four cars on the ferry.”
Having to use the tunnel has “put a lot of pressure” on Letisha’s finances. She said: “£8 a day adds up and I’ve had to budget elsewhere to make sure I’m able to afford essentials. The extra petrol I’m having to use also has been a strain.”
Some ferry users have raised concerns that TfL could start charging passengers, but it would take an act of parliament for this to take place as the service has been free to use since the modern service began in 1889.
In response to the increased use of the Woolwich Ferry, TfL commissioner Andy Lord said: “Our staff are working hard to manage the additional customers and keep the ferry on schedule, and we are monitoring this situation closely with the expectation it will settle in the coming months as new travel patterns are established.”
