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During Blackwall Tunnel closures, accidents, maintenance or restrictions you have a few options: [Vehicle Length 10m Max | 4.4m Max Height | 20mph | 2.3m Lane Width | Walking/Cycling Allowed], via North Side - 1.9 miles (3.0 km) / 5 minutes to the West, via South Side - 4.9 miles (7.9 km) / 14 minutes to the West, Vehicle Option 2: Woolwich Ferry (Free Service) - [Check Woolwich Ferry Page For Updates], Open Generally 6.10am to 8-10pm Mon-Fri | 11.30am to 7.30pm Sun, 4.7m Max Height | 3.5m Max Width | No Hazchem | Walking Via Foot Tunnel Optional, via North Side - 3.9 miles (6.2 km) / 11 minutes to the East, via South Side - 2.9 miles (4.7 km) / 7 minutes to the East, Vehicle Option 3: Dartford Crossing (Toll Crossing), [4.9m Max Height | Toll 2.00 Cars / 5 Trucks | Free 10pm to 6am | No Walking, [Cycling Allowed: Arrive at control gates and a patrol car will transport you free of charge], via North Side - 15.8 miles (25.4 km) / 26 minutes to the West, via South Side - 19.2 miles (30.9 km) / 31 minutes to the West, [Open 24hrs | 18 Tonnes Max Weight | Walking/Cycling Allowed], via North Side - 3.1 miles (5.0 km) / 9 minutes to the West, via South Side - 5.9 miles (9.5 km) / 18 minutes to the West, Tube Option 1: Blackwall DLR via Canning Town DLR to North Greenwich Station, via North Side - 0.4 miles (0.6 km) / 1 minutes to the South, via South Side - 1.3 miles (2.1 km) / 5 minutes to the East, Tube Option 2: Island Gardens DLR to Cutty Sark DLR, via North Side - 1.9 miles (3.1 km) / 5 minutes to the South West, via South Side - 2.5 miles (4.0 km) / 5 minutes to the East, [Open 24hrs (See Greenwich Council for Latest Works) | 371m Long | Bicycles Allowed | No Cars], via North Side - 2.0 miles (3.2 km) / 5 minutes to the West - [Check opening times], via South Side - 2.3 miles (3.7 km) / 5 minutes to the West - [Check opening times], *Travel time estimated using standard car speeds at low traffic volumes, *To estimate walking time instead of drive time - work on 3 mph at good pace, *The only bus route through the tunnel is the 108 from Stratford to Lewisham, London Traffic UK | All Rights Reserved |. Read our, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. Insulate Britain protesters have been confronted by angry drivers as the group blocked more roads in London. Like all the twiddly bits on Tower Bridge, it's totally frivolous, and utterly brilliant. The northbound carriageway remains closed. I really can't afford to destroy my license, I need it for work. The northern portal lies just south of the East India Dock Road in Blackwall[a]; the southern entrances are just south of The O2 on the Greenwich Peninsula. The University of Greenwich inter-campus bus services warned students of delays. - (#298012), Blackwall Tunnel: Traffic Cameras - North Side, Blackwall Tunnel: Traffic Cameras - South Side, Northbound (West Bore):Height 4.00 meters max & Lane Width 2.00 meters wide, Southbound (East Bore):Height 4.72 meters max & Lane Width 2.00 meters wide. blackwall tunnel status live travel news. The Blackwall Tunnel is an integral part of Londons road system as anyone whos ever crossed the Thames in a car can attest. Traffic continues to be gridlocked due to the closure of the Blackwall tunnel, made worse by a second tunnel closure for unrelated reasons. The Blackwall Tunnel is part of the A102, a part of the London road system. Unusual London Book I Discovering Londons Secret Spots, The Hidden Secrets of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, Exploring Greenwichs Gorgeous Painted Hall, The Ultimate Shoreditch Street Art Guide: 17 Unmissable Spots + Map, The Hidden Secrets of HQS Wellington: The Important Boat Moored on the Thames, Best Breakfasts and Brunches in Notting Hill. Cameras show the protesters had fully blocked the southern side of the roundabout. 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. (#298365), Works [Utility] - [A2203] Blackwall Lane (Both directions) at the junction of Tunnel Avenue - Lane restrictions in place to facilitate utility works. Upon reaching the Essex address, the occupants told the motorcyclist something truly chilling. A bridge was not feasible due to shipping in the River Thames in East London. The closure of the key Thames crossing is causing congestion in Greenwich and Poplar. One tunnel is used for traffic heading south, and the other is for traffic heading north. If they had kept that plan, perhaps we wouldnt be building a third tunnel 125 years later. 'This desperate motorist pleads with eco protesters blocking the entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel asking them to move so she can get to her sick mother in hospital.Read More: https://t.co/2zubNjd9kj pic.twitter.com/gTaPeAWg1Y. No injuries were reported. There is often congestion with tailbacks at the weekends, especially on Sunday evenings. It is possible to judge getting alongside a high lorry to shield yourself from an average speed camera, which I'm pretty sure grab rear number plates. Comments 13:05 Dan Wiggins What we know so far Its distinctive ventilation towers were designed in 1964 by GLC architect Terry Farrell. Is there a height restriction for the Blackwall Tunnel? The Chicago Department of Finance accepts all major credit and debit cards. Contest a Ticket. [11], 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. The Blackwall Tunnel is the only major road crossing of the Thames in East London, and consequently has very high traffic volumes. For the latest news and updates, check out the MyLondon homepage, sign up for our newsletters here, or download the MyLondon app on Android here and Apple here to get breaking news notifications. The northern portal lies just south of the East India Dock Road (A13) in Blackwall[a]; the southern entrances are just south of The O2 on the Greenwich Peninsula. That should help the traffic, at least, even if it doesnt help your wallet. It is an offence to ignore a height restriction sign, and you could be hit with a Fixed Penalty Notice of a 60 fine and three points on your licence if youre caught ignoring the signs. 2 Scheme 1988 Revocation Scheme 19", "Book casts new light on Ireland's dark past", "TfL relies on MTS pVMS during Blackwall Tunnel closures", "Citizen Space Closing the Woolwich Ferry", "Blackwall Tunnel disruption until December 2012", "Blackwall Tunnel closures advice to motorists", "The London Assembly Transport Committee's review of the decision to end the peak hours tidal flow in the Blackwall tunnel", "2 to use Blackwall Tunnel drivers will be charged to pay for new river crossing at Silvertown", "Blackwall Tunnel toll proposed to finance new crossing", "Drivers will be charged to use Blackwall Tunnel", "TfL, VOSA and Metropolitan Police increase enforcement against dangerous commercial vehicles using Blackwall Tunnel", "Safety report set to slam Blackwall Tunnel", "Blackwall Tunnel northbound refurbishment to be completed six months early", "Blackwall Tunnel upgrade set for early completion", "TfL completes contract with Riverlinx consortium to design, build, finance and maintain Silvertown Tunnel", Construction work begins on Sadiq Khans Silvertown Tunnel, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blackwall_Tunnel&oldid=1134826520, This page was last edited on 20 January 2023, at 22:20. Due to the increase in motor traffic in the early 20th century, the capacity of the original tunnel was soon perceived as inadequate. It's near London City Airport and. The tunnels are no longer open to pedestrians, cyclists or other non-motorised traffic,[1] and the northbound tunnel has a 4.0-metre (13.1ft) height limit. Queues reach back to Blackwall Lane and there are delays on the A102 towards Woolwich Road. [44], 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. While the original project only built one tunnel, the original proposal contained three tunnels. A Londoner wrote on Twitter: "4 hours to get home on a usual 35 minute journey Blackwall tunnel being the only viable crossing option around here is insane", "When the Blackwall Tunnel is closed the whole of London stops" someone else added. The total cost of the tunnel was 1.4 M[11] and 800 men were employed in its construction,[8] during which seven deaths were recorded. Wandsworth Bridge in south London, Hanger Lane and Arnos Grove . [A12] Green Man Tunnel (Eastbound) - Closed between approximately 22:00 and 05:00 during overnight maintenance. [13] In April 1986, the tunnel became part of the UK trunk road network. (#262077), Works [TfL] - [A102] Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach (Southbound) at the junction of Tunnel Avenue - Reduced to two lanes (from three) due to carriageway widening as part of works relating to the Silvertown Tunnel scheme. ), Driving through today, you might see little but a utilitarian, slightly grim, tunnel getting you from Greenwich to Tower Hamlets (or vice versa). [14] 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. More information on the National Highways website. But to the Victorians, it was yet another wonder of the world, opening before their eyes. With the closes other crossing being the still closed Blackwall Tunnel, the Woolwich Ferry is seeing significantly higher demand than normal, leading to serious congestion. Posted on Last updated: 15th March 2022 Categories London History. Speeding fines - how much you have to pay, How to jump start a car in 10 steps (with video), Car dashboard symbols and meanings warning lights guide, Everything you need to know about driving in London, The Dartford Crossing charge: what, how and why you pay it, Crit'Air clean air stickers your guide for driving in France, Top 16 tips for driving through France in 2022. The consequences of a speeding ticket depend on the circumstances. Did you know, you can get fined for moving out of the way of an ambulance. "[45] In 2012, TfL announced their intention to toll the tunnels to pay for the Silvertown Link crossing, suggesting it was the "most appropriate way". The tunnel, built 125 years ago, remains one of the few underground crossings allowing traffic to get between Poplar north of the river and Greenwich to its south. "[49], The Blackwall Tunnel has attracted criticism in the past for its perceived lack of safety. The Blackwall Tunnel links Greenwich to Poplar. She told MyLondon: "Im stuck six cars from the closure, no idea what's happening. (#298614), Special and Planned Events [Sporting] - UFC 286, O2 Arena - Expect higher numbers of both pedestrians and traffic in the area both before and after the event. I'm not sure but I'm hoping not because I got my license 15 months ago. Trucks CHECK your vehicle HEIGHT or you will be DIVERTED. According to traffic tracker Inrix long queues at the ferry terminals are currently stretching back into Woolwich on the south side of the river. Live traffic flow information. A video has surfaced showing furious drivers drag the protestors off the road on Wandsworth Bridge. Southbound is closed Friday 31 March 22:00 to Monday 3 April 05:00. In a tweet they said: "We're now in the process of re-opening the northbound carriageway of the Blackwall Tunnel. The Blackwall tunnel was opened on May 22, 1897. As the original purpose of the tunnel was for horse-drawn carriages to get through, the curve was to stop horses from seeing sunlight at the other end of the tunnel and potentially making a dash for it. NewsNow aims to be the world's most accurate and comprehensive Blackwall Tunnel news aggregator, bringing you the latest headlines automatically and continuously 24/7. 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. Thinking nothing of the exchange, the motorcyclist made his way through the tunnel with his passenger. Is there a toll for the Blackwall Tunnel? Enter your password to log in. But that doesn't matter because those tunnels are filled with cameras to make sure traffic is moving and to catch anyone disrupting (e.g. Arnos Grove, in north London, was also hit, bringing traffic to a standstill. One user wrote: "They are the absolute scum of the earth. Traffic is queuing for around a mile either side of the tunnel under the Thames, with police now avoiding other locals to avoid the area. London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service are also in attendance at the scene. With two tunnels now trying to handle the massive amount of traffic across the Thames, one tunnel is used for each direction. Traffic is flowing well. Instead, the Silvertown Tunnel a vast twin bore tunnel swerving from North Greenwich to the Docklands is set to open in 2025. [33] When open, queuing for the ferry causes significant congestion around Woolwich town centre.[34]. Ignoring their usual left wing propaganda Id suggest not stressing until you actually receive a NIP. Registered in England; Registered Offices: RAC House, Brockhurst Crescent, Walsall WS5 4AW. (#297661), Works [TfL] - [A12] Green Man Tunnel (Eastbound) - Closed between approximately 22:00 and 05:00 during overnight maintenance. Unfortunately I put it down too hard and think I got a ticket. Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are diverted eastbound via [A118] Great Eastern Road and westbound via Bow Roundabout (A12). [46][47] Responding to this, Paul Watters from the AA said "Weve 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. Something wrong with this article? 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. Environmental activists Insulate Britain glued themselves to the northbound carriageway at around 8.30am today (Monday, October 4) bringing rush hour traffic to a standstill. Everything you need to know about the Blackwall Tunnel. You can hardly have a tunnel without a ghost story to go along with it and the Blackwall Tunnel is no exception. Search RAC Drive for news, reviews, advice and more. So even though Tower Bridge was already flexing its bascules a few years earlier, when the Blackwall Tunnel showed up in 1897, it was still kind of a big deal. One van driver drove at the group, striking one protestor who refused to move. But a trip into the Blackwall Tunnel was quite the experience for Victorian Londoners; an account from 1898 waxes lyrically: "The scene was a most remarkable one. While most of the bends can be explained as a means to avoid obstacles under the ground, such as the sewer system, there is another very practical reason for the turns in the tunnel. Metropolitan Police have been at the two tunnels that run underneath the River Thames, in east London since 1pm on Thursday. or even 'Barbican!'. [36] Pedestrians have been banned from using the Blackwall Tunnels since May 1969. The Blackwall Tunnel is a pair of road tunnels underneath the River Thames in east London, England, linking the London Borough of Tower Hamlets with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and part of the A102 road. The ferry has become many southeast Londoner's only route across the river after the northbound Blackwall Tunnel and the Rotherhithe tunnel were closed tonight. [58], When completed, the Silvertown Tunnel will have two tunnels, one for each directionwith a dedicated HGV and bus lane. He then decided to go to the address that the hitchhiker requested, just to see if he made it home safe by some other means. N.B. People have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts about today's protest, and they're not happy. When the idea was first put forth to build a tunnel in this area, the project planners wanted to build three; one for northbound traffic, one for southbound traffic, and one for pedestrians. Avoid congestion, accidents, roadworks on UK roads. (#298756), Special and Planned Events [Concert] - O2 Arena-North Greenwich- DIZZEE RASCAL in concert - Expect delays before and after the event (#298362), Special and Planned Events [Concert] - O2 Arena Greenwich - Lizzo in concert on 15 and 16 March - Expect increased traffic and pedestrian congestion in the area (#298521), Special and Planned Events [Concert] - O2 Arena Greenwich - George Ezra in concert - Expect increased traffic and pedestrian congestion in the area (#298518), Special and Planned Events [Concert] - O2 Arena-North Greenwich-there will be a concert-expect delays before and after the event. The hitchhiker he saw was killed in an accident in that very tunnel some years ago. [40][42] 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. The other end is located in the *cough* grottier end of Greenwich. What are the deep, dark secrets of the Blackwall Tunnel that the common crosser may not know? If youve ever driven through the Blackwall Tunnel, youll notice that the tunnel has several sharp bends so it could align with Northumberland Wharf to the north and Ordnance Wharf to the south, as well as avoiding a nearby sewer. This resulted in a fire on another gas holder approximately an hour later. Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are diverted eastbound via [A118] Great Eastern Road and westbound via Bow Roundabout (A12). He has been arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance and taken into custody.. with the same delight as 'Tower of London! And, while boring beneath the Thames had lost its novelty by then, at over 6,000ft long and with a diameter of 27ft (allowing a two-way road, with two footpaths either side yes, there were pedestrians), this was the largest underwater tunnel yet. During Blackwall Tunnel closures, accidents, maintenance or restrictions you have a few options: [Vehicle Length 10m Max | 4.4m Max Height | 20mph | 2.3m Lane Width | Walking/Cycling Allowed], via North Side - 1.9 miles (3.0 km) / 5 minutes to the West, via South Side - 4.9 miles (7.9 km) / 14 minutes to the West, Vehicle Option 2: Woolwich Ferry (Free Service) - [Check Woolwich Ferry Page For Updates], Open Generally 6.10am to 8-10pm Mon-Fri | 11.30am to 7.30pm Sun, 4.7m Max Height | 3.5m Max Width | No Hazchem | Walking Via Foot Tunnel Optional, via North Side - 3.9 miles (6.2 km) / 11 minutes to the East, via South Side - 2.9 miles (4.7 km) / 7 minutes to the East, Vehicle Option 3: Dartford Crossing (Toll Crossing), [4.9m Max Height | Toll 2.00 Cars / 5 Trucks | Free 10pm to 6am | No Walking, [Cycling Allowed: Arrive at control gates and a patrol car will transport you free of charge], via North Side - 15.8 miles (25.4 km) / 26 minutes to the West, via South Side - 19.2 miles (30.9 km) / 31 minutes to the West, [Open 24hrs | 18 Tonnes Max Weight | Walking/Cycling Allowed], via North Side - 3.1 miles (5.0 km) / 9 minutes to the West, via South Side - 5.9 miles (9.5 km) / 18 minutes to the West, Tube Option 1: Blackwall DLR via Canning Town DLR to North Greenwich Station, via North Side - 0.4 miles (0.6 km) / 1 minutes to the South, via South Side - 1.3 miles (2.1 km) / 5 minutes to the East, Tube Option 2: Island Gardens DLR to Cutty Sark DLR, via North Side - 1.9 miles (3.1 km) / 5 minutes to the South West, via South Side - 2.5 miles (4.0 km) / 5 minutes to the East, [Open 24hrs (See Greenwich Council for Latest Works) | 371m Long | Bicycles Allowed | No Cars], via North Side - 2.0 miles (3.2 km) / 5 minutes to the West - [Check opening times], via South Side - 2.3 miles (3.7 km) / 5 minutes to the West - [Check opening times], *Travel time estimated using standard car speeds at low traffic volumes, *To estimate walking time instead of drive time - work on 3 mph at good pace, *The only bus route through the tunnel is the 108 from Stratford to Lewisham, London Traffic UK | All Rights Reserved |. It re-opened on 4 April 1969 with a new electronic system to detect overheight vehicles.[6]. The injunction could see the protestors sent to prison, or given an unlimited fine if they're found guilty of damaging roads or using tactics similar to the ones today. "[5] 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. Police arrested 38 climate change activists near the Blackwall Tunnel entrance during . The fire occurred in the northbound tunnel beneath the River Thames at around 10AM on Friday 9 April. The 108 bus which passes through the tunnel on its route between Lewisham and Stratford has also been diverted. To help put any concerns you might have to rest, heres our guide to everything you need to know about the Blackwall Tunnel. Officers are still at the scene. But how did the Blackwall Tunnel come into being and what makes it so special? [16] The LCC obtained an act to construct a new tunnel in 1938, but work did not start due to the outbreak of World War II. There is congestion to Woolwich Road Flyover Northbound and Bow Interchange Southbound. uk breakdown; european breakdown; motorbike breakdown; report a breakdown; insurance; car insurance; home insurance . While there have been various plans to open a new tunnel somewhere along the Thames, Blackwall Tunnel remains the easternmost tunnel available to motor traffic. The group has brought blocked roads elsewhere in recent weeks, following protests on the M25, M4, and at the port of Dover. According to sat nav app 'Waze', drivers' speeds by the Blackwall Tunnel were a mere 1mph. When the Silvertown Tunnel is completed in 2025, both it and the Blackwall Tunnels will be tolled.[4]. Following the cancellation of the Thames Gateway Bridge in 2008, a new crossing from the Greenwich Peninsula to Silvertownthe Silvertown Tunnelwas proposed by TfL. Utility Billing and Customer Service. The Speed Limit in the Blackwall Tunnel The speed limit in the Blackwall Tunnel is set at 30mph or 48km/h in order to promote safety for everyone. The Blackwall Tunnel between Greenwich and Poplar has been closed in both directions this afternoon due to an 'ongoing' police incident. As the story goes, it was, and a man on a motorcycle came upon a hitchhiker near the tunnel entrance. While construction of the Blackwall Tunnel(s) caused some consternation both in the 19th and 20th centuries, this new 21st century tunnel has acquired such a bad rap, it might be spiked altogether. Roads around Rotherhithe, Deptford and Limehouse are heavily congested with long queues at the Woolwich Ferry Terminals as well. More information on the National Highways website. The Blackwall Tunnel was shut by the Met Police just after 12.45pm today. Congestion from the Blackwall Tunnel closure has been spreading out into wider Tower Hamlets and Greenwich due to stationary traffic. The glazed bricks of the tunnel gleamed under the illumination of a myriad incandescent electric lamps suggesting the entrance to fairyland. 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(#289781), Works [Utility] - [A102] Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach (Northbound) at the junction of [A2203] Blackwall Lane - The northbound slip-road is restricted to facilitate Thames Water works as part of the Greenwich Peninsular Water Project. By the 1930s, capacity was becoming inadequate, and consequently a second bore opened in 1967, handling southbound traffic while the earlier 19th century tunnel handles northbound. Unfortunately, the very idea of it has fomented ire among locals, climate campaigners and cyclists (who won't have access to the tunnel, which doesn't seem right in this day and age). Police vehicles at the entrance to the Blackwall tunnel. (#298541), Works [TfL] - [A102] Blackwall Tunnel (SE10) (Southbound) - Closed between approximately 01:00 and 08:00 during overnight tunnel maintenance most Sunday mornings, apart from Bank Holiday weekends and the weekends of the London Marathon, Ride London and London Triathlon. 11:54 Rafi Mauro-Benady The number of protestors is rapidly decreasing Only three protestors remain on the road heading towards the Blackwall Tunnel. Follow our live coverage below for the latest updates on this breaking incident. The incident has happened in the Blackwall Tunnel, closing the important Thames road crossing in both directions this afternoon. By clicking Sign up you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. Instead, the Silvertown Tunnel a vast twin bore tunnel swerving from North Greenwich to the. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. (While carrying out the works Binnie's team excavated an elephant's tusk, and a human skeleton with a stake through the middle. The Blackwall Tunnel is actually two separate tunnels that travel beneath the Thames in east London one tunnel for southbound traffic and the other for northbound traffic. The Woolwich Free Ferry is 2mi (3km) to the east, but is closed overnight, often reduced to one boat in operation, or completely closed at weekends. Theres more to the Blackwall Tunnel than a few twists and turns. Traffic slowly moved on diversions both sides of the tunnel, a Transport for London (TfL) update said. 2023 RAC Motoring Services. [53] In February 2011, TfL reported that the tunnel had been closed 1,200 times in the previous year for a total of 157 hours,[14] while New Civil Engineer magazine claimed it shut 1,448 times in 2010. The Blackwall tunnel's northbound tunnel is in the process of being reopened, Tower Hamlets Police have just confirmed. The London Buses route 108 between Lewisham and Stratford runs through the tunnels. 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. Yeah causing any block in the blackwall tunnel is a fine. For a limited time, get FREE Battery Replace worth 36 with your RAC Breakdown Cover.*. Another change that came to the tunnels over time was banning all but motor traffic. Want more useful content like this sent straight to your inbox? [52] 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. Further afield, Tower Bridge is located three miles to the west while the Dartford Crossing is 16 miles to the east of the Blackwall Tunnel, although there is toll to use the Crossing. Insulate Britain have also hit parts of South West, North West, and West London. Even then, the congestion and constant traffic quickly became a problem, which is why the powers that be decided to build a second tunnel. With the southbound carriageway of the Blackwater Tunnel open for nearly an hour now East and South East London is still seeing some serious traffic with Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Deptford and Limehouse all experiencing heavy congestion tonight. If youve ever had the misfortune to try and use the Blackwall Tunnel during rush hour, youll know that its rammed. [52], The tunnel also suffers regular problems with strikes from over-height traffic, and vehicles running out of fuel. [10] It was lit by three rows of incandescent street lights. As long as you slowed down coming upto the right hand bend where the traffic lights are for the Kidbrooke interchange you'll. Get London news, inspiration, exclusive offers and more, emailed to you.