Blackwall Tunnel

File:Section of the Blackwall Tunnel.jpg

A tunnel in the Blackwall area was originally proposed in the 1880s. A bridge was not feasible due to shipping in the River Thames in East London. According to Robert Webster, then MP for St Pancras East, a tunnel would "be very useful to the East End of London, a district representing in trade and commerce a population greater than the combined populations of Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham."{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1887/aug/08/committee#S3V0318P0_18870808_HOC_414|title=Commons Sitting – Committee|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|date=8 August 1887|access-date=26 June 2013}} By this time, all road bridges in London east of the ferry at Chiswick were toll-free, but these were of little use to the two fifths of London's population that lived to the east of London Bridge.

{{Infobox UK legislation

| short_title = Thames Tunnel (Blackwall) Act 1887

| type = Act

| parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom

| long_title = An Act for enabling the Metropolitan Board of Works to make a new means of communication across the River Thames by means of a Tunnel or Subway at Blackwall.

| year = 1887

| citation = 50 & 51 Vict. c. clxxii

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| royal_assent = 8 August 1887

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| original_text = https://books.google.com/books?id=UVUwAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA8-PA1

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The {{visible anchor|Thames Tunnel (Blackwall) Act 1887}} (50 & 51 Vict. c. clxxii) was enacted in August 1887. It provided the legal framework necessary to construct the tunnel. The initial proposal, made by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, called for three parallel tunnels, two for vehicular traffic and one for foot,{{cite magazine|title=The Blackwall Tunnel|magazine=Scientific American Supplement|volume=44|publisher=Munn and Company|year=1897}} with an expected completion date of works within seven years. It was originally commissioned by the Metropolitan Board of Works but, just before the contract was due to start, responsibility passed to the London County Council (LCC) when the former body was abolished in 1889 and Bazalgette's work on the tunnel ended.

File:Blackwall Tunnel 1899.gif

The original tunnel as built was designed by Sir Alexander Binnie and built by S. Pearson & Sons, between 1892 and 1897,{{cite book|title=Southern Blackwall: The Blackwall Tunnel|series=Survey of London|volume=43 and 44 : Poplar, Blackwall and Isle of Dogs|editor=Hermione Hobhouse|publisher=British History Online|location=London|year=1994|pages=640–645|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols43-4/pp640-645|access-date=30 August 2017}} for whom Ernest William Moir was the lead engineer. It has an external diameter of 27 feet | 8.23 metres and was constructed using a Greathead tunnelling shield and compressed air techniques{{cite book|title=Engineering and Health in Compressed Air Work: Proceedings of the International Conference|last1=Jardine|first1=F.M.|last2=McCallum|first2=R.I.|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2013|isbn=978-1-135-82609-3|page=246}} (named after its inventor, James Henry Greathead).{{cite book|title=London's Underground|author=Henry Fredrick Howson|publisher=I. Allan|year=1962|page=25}} It was lit by three rows of incandescent street lights.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4TA262F55asC&q=blackwall+tunnel&pg=PA15|title=London and the Thames Valley|last=Smith|first=Denis|publisher=Thomas Telford|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7277-2876-0|page=15}} To clear the site in Greenwich, more than 600 people had to be rehoused, and a house reputedly once owned by Sir Walter Raleigh had to be demolished.{{cite book|title=Famous Ghosts and Haunted Places|last1=Lynch|first1=Gordon|last2=Canwell|first2=Diane|last3=Sutherland|first3=Jonathan|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|year=2011|isbn=978-1-4488-5985-6|pages=35–36}} The workforce was largely drawn from outside London; the tunnel lining was manufactured in Glasgow, while the manual labour came from provincial England, particularly Yorkshire.

The tunnel was formally opened by the Prince of Wales on 22 May 1897. The total cost of the tunnel was £1.4 million, and 800 men were employed in its construction, during which seven deaths were recorded.{{cite web|url=http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/conMediaFile.340/Section-of-theBlackwall-tunnel.html|publisher=Royal Museums of Greenwich|title=Section of the Blackwall tunnel.|access-date=26 June 2013}}

The southern entrance gateway to the tunnel, also known as Southern Tunnel House, was designed by LCC architect Thomas Blashill and was built just before the tunnel was completed. It comprises two floors with an attic.

Today, the western bore is only used for northbound traffic and is not accessible to vehicles taller than {{convert|4|m|abbr=on}}. Given this, an expansion of the crossing had been proposed for many years—such as a third bore of the tunnel, proposed in 1989{{cite web |author=Cecil Parkinson |author-link=Cecil Parkinson |date=14 December 1989 |title=Traffic (London) |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1989/dec/14/traffic-london |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)}}—however none of these proposals were pursued. The tunnel has several sharp bends, in order that the tunnel could align with Northumberland Wharf to the north and Ordnance Wharf to the south, and avoid a sewer underneath Bedford Street. Some sources, such as PJ Thomas (circa 1899), state that an additional purpose was to prevent horses from bolting once they saw daylight.{{cite web|url=https://urbandesign.tfl.gov.uk/Heritage-Library/Surface/Blackwall-Tunnel.aspx |title=Urban Design : Blackwall Tunnel |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=26 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816130103/https://urbandesign.tfl.gov.uk/Heritage-Library/Surface/Blackwall-Tunnel.aspx |archive-date=16 August 2012 }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1945581.stm|title=Light at the end of the tunnel|work=BBC News|date=24 April 2002|access-date=26 June 2013}} The tunnel carries two lanes of traffic, though higher vehicles need to keep to the left-hand lane so that they do not hit the tunnel's inner lining.

Following the cancellation of the Thames Gateway Bridge in 2008, a new crossing from the Greenwich Peninsula to Silvertown—the Silvertown Tunnel—was proposed by TfL. Following a public inquiry, the government approved the proposal in May 2018,{{cite legislation UK|type=si|year=2018|number=574|si=The Silvertown Tunnel Order 2018}} and the contract to build the tunnel was awarded in November 2019.{{cite web |date=25 November 2019 |title=TfL completes contract with Riverlinx consortium to design, build, finance and maintain Silvertown Tunnel |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2019/november/tfl-completes-contract-with-riverlinx-consortium-to-design-build-finance-and-maintain-silvertown-tunnel |access-date=22 March 2020 |publisher=Transport for London}} Construction began in March 2021.[https://853.london/2021/03/13/construction-work-begins-on-sadiq-khans-silvertown-tunnel/ Construction work begins on Sadiq Khan’s Silvertown Tunnel] 13 March 2021, 853.london, accessed 5 May 2021File:Silvertown Tunnel Map.png

File:Blackwall tunnel towers 1.jpg

Due to the increase in motor traffic in the early 20th century, the capacity of the original tunnel was soon perceived as inadequate. In 1930, John Mills, MP for Dartford, remarked that HGVs delivering from Essex to Kent could not practically use any crossing of the Thames downstream of the tunnel.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1930/mar/10/dartford-and-purfleet-thames-tunnel-bill#S5CV0236P0_19300310_HOC_403|title=Dartford and Purfleet Thames Tunnel Bill|date=10 March 1930|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|access-date=26 June 2013}} The LCC obtained an act in 1938, the London County Council (Tunnel and Improvements) Act 1938 (1 & 2 Geo. 6. c. lxxxi), allowing them to construct a new tunnel, but work did not start due to the outbreak of World War II. Construction eventually started in 1958 with preliminary work on the northern approach road.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1957/may/15/blackwall-tunnel#S5CV0570P0_19570515_CWA_37|title=Blackwall Tunnel|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|date=15 May 1957|access-date=26 June 2013}} By this time, traffic had become progressively worse. In 1960, Richard Marsh, MP for Greenwich complained that vehicles could spend 30 to 45 minutes stuck in tunnel traffic.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1960/apr/29/road-safety-bill#S5CV0622P0_19600429_HOC_103|title=Road Safety Bill|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|author=Richard Marsh|date=29 April 1960|access-date=28 June 2013|author-link=Richard Marsh, Baron Marsh}}

The new eastern tunnel, {{convert|28|ft|2|in|m|order=flip}} in diameter, was accepted into the roads programme in March 1959, and construction started in March 1960.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1966/nov/22/blackwall-tunnel#S5CV0736P0_19661122_CWA_168|title=Blackwall Tunnel|author=Stephen Swingler|date=22 November 1966|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|access-date=26 June 2013|author-link=Stephen Swingler}} It was opened on 2 August 1967 by Desmond Plummer, Leader of the Greater London Council (GLC).{{cite magazine|title = News and Views|magazine=Autocar| volume = 127 (nbr 3730)|page=50|date = 10 August 1967}} It is wider than the western tunnel, carries two lanes of traffic and is usable by vehicles up to {{convert|4.72|m|ft|abbr=on}} in height. During construction, transport minister Ernest Marples clarified that unlike the Dartford Tunnel, also then under construction, tolls would not be imposed as the tunnel was already an established route.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1960/nov/09/m1-motorway-and-dartford-purfleet-tunnel#S5CV0629P0_19601109_HOC_111|title=M.1 Motorway and Dartford-Purfleet Tunnel (Tolls)|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|date=9 November 1960|access-date=26 June 2013}}

At the time of opening, the strip lighting in the tunnel was commended as "a big improvement" on the standard provided in the original tunnel. In contrast with the Victorian northbound tunnel, the eastern tunnel had no sharp bends, and emergency telephones were provided. Its distinctive ventilation towers were designed in 1964 by GLC architect Terry Farrell. Immediately after opening, the old tunnel was closed for refurbishment. It re-opened on 4 April 1969 with a new overheight vehicle detection system.

In the late 1960s, proposals were made to connect the tunnel with a free-flow, grade-separated motorway system as part of the London Ringways project.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1969/jul/23/motorways-eltham#S5CV0787P0_19690723_HOC_601|title=Motorways (Eltham)|date=23 July 1969|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|access-date=26 June 2013}} The only parts of this project completed were the A102(M) Blackwall Tunnel approach roads in 1973.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1973/dec/20/motorways#S5CV0866P0_19731220_CWA_288|title=Motorways|author=John Peyton|date=20 December 1973|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|access-date=26 June 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ciht.org.uk/motorway/a102mbtapp.htm|title=A102(M). Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach road|publisher=Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation|access-date=26 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722021041/http://www.ciht.org.uk/motorway/a102mbtapp.htm|archive-date=22 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}

The entrance gateway to the northbound tunnel was Grade II listed in 1973, while the ventilation towers were listed in 2000. In April 1986, the tunnel became part of the UK trunk road network.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1985/nov/11/blackwall-tunnel#S6CV0086P0_19851111_CWA_479|title=Blackwall Tunnel|author=Lynda Chalker|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|date=11 November 1985}} It was detrunked and control handed to TfL in September 1999.{{London Gazette|issue=55566 |page=8186|title=Highway Act 1980 : The A102(M) Motorway (Eastway Section) No. 2 Scheme 1988 Revocation Scheme 19|date=29 July 1999}}{{cite book|title=The Motorway Achievement, Volume 1|author1=Ron Bridle |author2=Peter Baldwin |author3=John Porter |author4=Robert Baldwin |publisher=Thomas Telford |year=2004 |page=158 |isbn=978-0-7277-3196-8}}

On 18 January 1979, an anonymous caller to the Press Association informed them that the Provisional IRA had planted a bomb in the tunnel that was scheduled to detonate at midnight. While the Metropolitan Police were searching the tunnel, the bomb detonated at 12:40 a.m., causing an explosion in a gas holder near the southern exit. This resulted in a fire on another gas holder approximately an hour later. No injuries were reported. Speaking in the House of Commons, Home Secretary Merlyn Rees hoped "the House will join me in condemning these attacks and will support the Government in their determination not to be swayed by such methods".{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1979/jan/18/bomb-incidents#S5CV0960P0_19790118_HOC_278|title=Bomb Incidents|date=18 January 1979|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |author=Merlyn Rees|access-date=26 June 2013|author-link=Merlyn Rees}}{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1979/jan/18/bomb-incidents#S5LV0397P0_19790118_HOL_217|title=Bomb Incidents|date=18 January 1979|author1=Terence Boston |author2=Lord Boston of Faversham |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|access-date=26 June 2013}} A Belfast man was jailed in May 1983 for his role in the bombing,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19830527&id=psRAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3979,5587070|title=IRA bomber jailed for 17 years|work=Glasgow Herald|date=27 May 1983|access-date=26 June 2013}} and was eventually released at the end of his sentence some 17½ years later, still professing pride in his IRA participation.{{Cite web|last=Kissane|first=Karen|date=2011-11-25|title=Book casts new light on Ireland's dark past|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/book-casts-new-light-on-irelands-dark-past-20111125-1nz54.html|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}

Charging for the Blackwall Tunnel began when the Silvertown Tunnel opened on 7 April 2025. Charges for the Blackwall tunnel are the same as for the Silvertown tunnel, and apply between 06:00 and 22:00. Use of the tunnel is free overnight.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=26 November 2024 |title=TfL outlines package of charges, discounts and exemptions for Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2024/november/tfl-outlines-package-of-charges-discounts-and-exemptions-for-silvertown-and-blackwall-tunnels |access-date= |website=Transport for London |language=en-GB}} Peak times are Monday to Friday, 06:00 to 10:00 northbound and 16:00 to 19:00 southbound. Users must use TfL's Auto Pay system to benefit from off-peak tolls.

• Cars and small vans: £4 peak, £1.50 off-peak
• Motorcycles: £2.50 peak, £1.50 off-peak
• Large vans: £6.50 peak, £2.50 off-peak
• Heavy goods vehicles: £10.00 peak, £5.00 off-peak

Taxis, blue badge holders, wheelchair-accessible and 'zero-emission capable' private hire vehicles licensed by TfL are exempt. Discounts are available to low income drivers in 12 boroughs, and for small businesses in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Greenwich.

TfL states that one of the major issues with the Blackwall Tunnels is the lack of resilience in the event of an incident{{Cite web |title=River Crossings in East London |url= http://content.tfl.gov.uk/st-stakeholder-event-presentation-october-2014.pdf |last=Dix |first=Michèle |date=15 October 2014 |publisher=Transport for London|access-date=22 May 2020}}—as the nearest alternative road crossings are the Rotherhithe Tunnel {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on|0}} to the west, Tower Bridge {{convert|3|mi|km|abbr=on|0}} to the west, and the Dartford Crossing {{convert|16|mi|km|abbr=on|0}} to the east. The Woolwich Free Ferry is {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on|0}} to the east, but is closed overnight, often reduced to one boat in operation, or completely closed at weekends. Variable message signs (VMS) near the tunnel inform drivers if the ferry is available.{{cite web |url=

http://www.ukmts.com/case-study/tfl-relies-mts-pvms-blackwall-tunnel-closures/ |title=TfL relies on MTS pVMS during Blackwall Tunnel closures |publisher=MTS |access-date=26 June 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151127044904/http://www.ukmts.com/case-study/tfl-relies-mts-pvms-blackwall-tunnel-closures/ |archive-date=27 November 2015 |url-status=dead}} When open, queuing for the ferry causes significant congestion around Woolwich town centre.{{cite web |url= https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/5c42e952 |title=Citizen Space – Closing the Woolwich Ferry |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=26 November 2015}}

Underground railway links include the Jubilee line from North Greenwich (TfL) to Canning Town on the east and Canary Wharf on the west. The Docklands Light Railway also passes under the Thames between Island Gardens at the southern end of the Isle of Dogs and Cutty Sark in the centre of Greenwich.

Horse-drawn traffic was partially banned from the tunnel during peak hours in July 1939{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1939/jul/05/blackwall-tunnel-traffic-delays#S5CV0349P0_19390705_CWA_118|title=Blackwall Tunnel (Traffic Delays)|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|date=5 July 1939|access-date=26 June 2013}} and completely banned in August 1947.{{London Gazette|issue=38037|page=3683|title=London Traffic Act 1924|date=1 August 1947}} Pedestrians have been banned from using the Blackwall Tunnels since May 1969.{{citation|date=23 May 1969|title=East London Advertiser|page=5}}

The London Buses route 108 (Stratford–Lewisham) runs through the tunnels{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/?r=108|title=Bus map for route 108|publisher=Transport for London|access-date=28 June 2013}} and there are bus priority gates at both entrances to allow buses to avoid traffic congestion. On occasion in the past, buses have been escorted through the tunnel when it has been closed to other traffic.{{cite press release |url= http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/3494.html |title= Blackwall Tunnel closures – advice to motorists |publisher= Transport for London |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120816181815/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/3494.html |date=12 September 2006 |archive-date=16 August 2012 |access-date=21 November 2014}}

The northbound Blackwall Tunnel is a traffic bottleneck with tailbacks.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6570775.stm |title=Tidal flow system ends in tunnel |work=BBC News |date=19 April 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007}} A TfL study in 2009 revealed that the {{convert|1.7|km|miles|order=flip|adj=on}} approach to the northbound tunnel took around 19 minutes in rush hour traffic, or a delay of approximately 11 minutes per kilometre.{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/Item06-EastLondonRiverCrossings.pdf|title=Update on East London Crossings Review|publisher=Transport for London|page=2|date=8 July 2009|access-date=26 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120024320/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/Item06-EastLondonRiverCrossings.pdf|archive-date=20 November 2015}} To relieve the congestion, a tidal flow system was introduced in 1978, allowing northbound traffic to use the western lane of the eastern tunnel. The congestion is not limited to weekday rush hours. There is often congestion with tailbacks at the weekends, especially on Sunday evenings.

Due to its sharp turns with restricted headroom, high-sided vehicles can only use the left-hand lane of the western tunnel, so it was not possible to reverse the tidal flow in the evening. In April 2007, the morning tidal flow was discontinued, after reports by TfL and the Metropolitan Police (MPS) of an increase in dangerous motoring behaviour; these blamed poor driving, such as overtaking, for the decrease in safety during counterflow operations.{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/4919.aspx |title=Transport at a glance |publisher=Transport for London |date=19 April 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184316/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/4919.aspx |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }} The decision to end the counterflow was controversial, particularly as TfL and the MPS had been considering it since 2005, without properly informing affected borough councils, and an independent committee was set up to evaluate the decision.{{cite web|url=http://legacy.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/transport/blackwall-tunnel-rpt.pdf|title=The London Assembly Transport Committee's review of the decision to end the peak hours tidal flow in the Blackwall tunnel|publisher=Transport for London|page=13|date=July 2007|access-date=16 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815091504/http://legacy.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/transport/blackwall-tunnel-rpt.pdf|archive-date=15 August 2012|df=dmy-all}} The ending of the counterflow system has brought protests from users of the tunnel and those experiencing increased congestion due to the change.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6637817.stm |title=Calls for tunnel lane to reopen |date=9 May 2007 |work=BBC News |access-date=24 November 2007}}

In November 2007, the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone responded to complaints from Greenwich Council about congestion in the area, with the possibility of setting up a small congestion charging zone. He clarified that this would not extend to the Blackwall Tunnel, stating "I have given that commitment right the way through my period as Mayor, and there cannot be anything that impacts on the A2 because the impact then on Lewisham is unacceptable."{{cite web|title=Greenwich Congestion Charge|url=http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=20381|publisher=The London Assembly|last=Livingstone|first=Ken|date=14 November 2007|access-date=15 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817042946/http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=20381|archive-date=17 August 2012}} In 2012, TfL announced their intention to toll the tunnels to pay for the Silvertown Link crossing, suggesting it was the "most appropriate way".{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/2-to-use-blackwall-tunnel-drivers-will-be-charged-to-pay-for-new-river-crossing-at-silvertown-8252941.html|title=£2 to use Blackwall Tunnel... drivers will be charged to pay for new river crossing at Silvertown|author=Pippa Crerar|work=London Evening Standard|date=30 October 2012|access-date=26 June 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20140560|title=Blackwall Tunnel toll proposed to finance new crossing|work=BBC News|date=30 October 2012|access-date=28 June 2013}} Responding to this, Paul Watters from the AA said "We’ve already seen the Western extension of the congestion charge dropped because it was hugely unpopular and I think tolling on the Blackwall Tunnel will be as controversial as that."{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/drivers-will-be-charged-to-use-blackwall-tunnel-8255153.html|title=Drivers will be charged to use Blackwall Tunnel|author=Sophie Warnes|date=30 October 2012|work=The Independent|access-date=26 June 2013}}

In June 2013, TfL announced they would send registration details of any broken-down or over-height commercial vehicle in the tunnel to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), and set up a new automatic recognition system to detect unsuitable heavy goods vehicles heading towards it. TfL commissioner Sir Peter Hendy said that "this partnership working will help improve traffic flow on one of the busiest routes in the capital."{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2013/may/tfl-vosa-and-metropolitan-police-increase-enforcement-against-dangerous-commercial-vehicles-using-blackwall-tunnel/|title=TfL, VOSA and Metropolitan Police increase enforcement against dangerous commercial vehicles using Blackwall Tunnel|publisher=Transport for London|date=22 May 2013|access-date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430081452/https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2013/may/tfl-vosa-and-metropolitan-police-increase-enforcement-against-dangerous-commercial-vehicles-using-blackwall-tunnel|archive-date=30 April 2016|url-status=dead}}

File:Gateway to the Blackwall Tunnel SE10 - geograph.org.uk - 1177911.jpg.]]

The Blackwall Tunnel has attracted criticism in the past for its perceived lack of safety. In 2002, a survey by major motoring organisations rated the tunnel's safety record as "very poor", and concluded it was one of the least safe tunnels in Europe.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.nce.co.uk/safety-report-set-to-slam-blackwall-tunnel/800260.article|title=Safety report set to slam Blackwall Tunnel|date=21 March 2002|author=Steve Turner|magazine=New Civil Engineer|access-date=26 June 2013}} In 2010, the northbound tunnel was refurbished in order to meet current safety standards. Fire detection systems have been installed in response to new European regulations in the light of recent tunnel fires.{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/16549.html|title=Blackwall Tunnel northbound refurbishment to be completed six months early|publisher=Transport for London|date=27 August 2010|access-date=15 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817154453/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/16549.html|archive-date=17 August 2012|df=dmy-all}}

In 2010, the southbound tunnel was affected by planned closures for maintenance from 10 pm to 5 am, Thursday to Sunday inclusive,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/london/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8500000/8500274.stm|title=Blackwall Tunnel disruption until December 2012|work=BBC News|date=5 February 2010|access-date=26 June 2013}} and over a number of whole weekends. The tunnel was only closed six full weekends instead of the planned ten.

The tunnel also suffers regular problems with strikes from over-height traffic, and vehicles running out of fuel. On 10 December 1996, a man drove a Mercedes truck supporting a crane towards the southbound tunnel, ignored warnings that his vehicle was over-height, and struck a gantry, breaking a steel reinforcement frame in the process. The entire tunnel was immediately closed, not only to retrieve the vehicle, but to perform additional safety checks. Because the Limehouse Link tunnel, which runs near to the north end of the Blackwall Tunnel, and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, part of the Dartford Crossing, were also closed on the same day, the accident caused one of the worst traffic jams in the capital.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=705nF7ZUklkC&q=blackwall+tunnel&pg=PT289|page=302|title=Autopia: Cars and Culture|last1=Woollen|first1=Peter|last2=Kerr|first2=Joe|publisher=Reaktion Books|year=2002|isbn=978-1-86189-132-7}} In February 2011, TfL reported that the tunnel had been closed 1,200 times in the previous year for a total of 157 hours, while New Civil Engineer magazine reported it shut 1,448 times in 2010.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.nce.co.uk/news/transport/blackwall-tunnel-upgrade-set-for-early-completion/8622119.article|title=Blackwall Tunnel upgrade set for early completion|date=4 November 2011|magazine=New Civil Engineer|access-date=26 June 2013}} To try to prevent closures of this nature, an LED noticeboard was set up in the northbound approach, counting the number of breakdowns and accidents per month occurring inside the tunnel.{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/18143.html|title=TfL urges drivers to 'check before they travel' through the Blackwall Tunnel|publisher=Transport for London|date=4 February 2011|access-date=26 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816212519/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/18143.html|archive-date=16 August 2012|df=dmy-all}}

During the 2010s the tunnel has been closed to motor traffic to provide cyclists access to the RideLondon event, although this arrangement is no longer in place.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/info-hub/transport-options/getting-start/|title=Getting to the Start|website=www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk}}

• List of crossings of the River Thames
• Tunnels underneath the River Thames

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070826105008/http://www.cbrd.co.uk/media/video/blackwall.shtml Video of the Tunnel] (Chris' British Road Directory)

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Category:Tunnels underneath the River Thames

Category:Tunnels in London

Category:Transport in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets

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Category:Terry Farrell buildings

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Category:Grade II listed tunnels

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Category:Blackwall Tunnel