The Silvertown Tunnel is set to be built and operational by 2023, after Sadiq Khan gave the new crossing the green light earlier today.

The tunnel, said Khan, will reduce traffic and aid the growth of East London.

“It’s no secret that London has long needed more river crossings in the east,” he said.

“With new homes and economic growth across East London,” he said, “it becomes even more important that we deliver new greener transport links.

“As we continue to unlock the massive economic potential of East London, we must secure the very best transport infrastructure that improves the quality of life for everyone living and working in the area.”

The mayor of London said any vehicles working on the construction of the tunnel, which will connect Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks, will comply with the new Direct Vision Standard.

TfL also committed to moving 55% of the building materials by water to minimise congestion caused by the project, and added it would increase this percentage if possible.

A six-month public examination on the tunnel will begin next week (11 October).

The FTA welcomed the news that the tunnel would go ahead, but said it wanted to now more about the user charge that Khan said would pay for its construction.

The association’s head of national and regional policy, Christopher Snelling, said: “We still want to see more detail on the charging regime.

"It is crucial for the best use of the crossing that we do not discriminate against essential users like freight – as well as buses, coaches, disabled drivers and tradespeople."

The plans for the tunnel were announced alongside plans for a further three Thames crossings in East London (pictured below), including a ferry between Canary Wharf and North Greenwich and an extension to the DLR.

River Crossings 1

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