Key Points:
- Transport for London (TfL) says the Silvertown Tunnel, opened last month, is improving cross-river travel.
- Bus route 108 now sees a 23% drop in excess wait time compared to the same period last year.
- TfL attributes the improvement to reduced congestion and the ability to reroute buses through Silvertown during Blackwall Tunnel incidents.
- Tolling is in place at both tunnels to manage traffic flow.
- Critics argue the toll alone could have improved bus reliability without constructing a new tunnel.
- Dominic Leggett of the Stop Silvertown Tunnel Coalition calls TfL’s claims “greenwashing”.
- London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Deputy Mayor Seb Dance defend the tunnel’s benefits to public transport.
- Free travel on routes 108, 129, and Superloop SL4 continues to boost uptake.
- Cyclists must still rely on a shuttle bus, which shows low early usage.
- Full traffic and air quality data post-opening remains pending.
The Silvertown Tunnel is delivering faster and more reliable service on London’s 108 bus route, according to Transport for London (TfL), with new data showing a 23% reduction in wait times compared to the same period last year. But the claims are being contested by critics who argue the improvement is due to tolls, not the £2bn tunnel itself.
What has TfL reported about bus 108 wait times?
As reported by Alex Marsh of the Hackney Gazette, Transport for London states that the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel has led to shorter wait times for bus route 108, which travels between Stratford and Lewisham via the Blackwall Tunnel.
TfL analysis found that between April 1 and April 25, the average wait time beyond the scheduled service dropped by 23% compared to the same period in 2024. TfL attributes this improvement to reduced congestion and the ability to reroute buses through the new Silvertown Tunnel during incidents affecting the Blackwall Tunnel.
How has the Silvertown Tunnel affected congestion?
According to Alex Marsh of the Hackney Gazette, TfL claims that having a second river crossing has eased congestion in the area. Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said:
“I’m pleased that the new Silvertown Tunnel is already transforming travel in east and southeast London, reducing congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel, improving journey times and providing better cross-river bus routes.”
The Blackwall Tunnel has historically been a major pinch point, suffering from over 700 closures annually, which often disrupted route 108.
What do critics say about the tunnel’s impact?
Alex Marsh of the Hackney Gazette quotes Dominic Leggett from the Stop Silvertown Tunnel Coalition, who disputes TfL’s version of events. Leggett argues:
“It’s not the Silvertown Tunnel that helps with 108 bus times. It’s the new toll on Blackwall. TfL could have made the 108 more reliable just by tolling Blackwall, and not building Silvertown at all.”
Opponents also argue that the tunnel may increase overall traffic volumes, especially from lorries too tall to use the Blackwall Tunnel’s northbound lane, undermining environmental goals.
Some campaigners have called Sadiq Khan’s support for the tunnel “greenwashing,” claiming it does little to meaningfully shift transport habits away from car dependency.
What changes have been made to bus services?
As detailed by Alex Marsh in the Hackney Gazette, TfL has boosted the number of buses able to cross the Thames in this area from six to 21 per hour in each direction. This includes route 108, the 129, and the new Superloop SL4.
TfL has made these services free to ride for at least 12 months to encourage adoption. The 108, long considered one of London’s most unreliable bus routes, has been given priority status, with updated routing and facilities.
According to TfL, the average speed of the 108 bus rose from 9.08 mph before the tunnel’s opening to 10.24 mph just four weeks later. In the first week after opening, the average excess wait time dropped to 1.15 minutes, compared to 1.51 minutes in the same week in 2024.
What has been done for cyclists?
Cyclists currently cannot ride through the Silvertown Tunnel. Instead, they must board a dedicated cycle shuttle bus. According to data cited by Alex Marsh of the Hackney Gazette, uptake of this shuttle has been low—with just one cyclist recorded over an 80-minute period one morning—though TfL reports thousands have used it since launch.
Campaigners argue this is an inadequate solution and have urged the mayor to repurpose the tunnel exclusively for buses and cyclists.
When will we know the full effects of the tunnel?
Full data on the tunnel’s impact on air quality, congestion, and traffic flow has not yet been published. TfL has committed to monitoring and publishing this data over the next three years. For now, the available numbers indicate a positive shift in public transport reliability—especially for the long-troubled 108 route.
TfL’s long-term plan includes continued assessment and network refinement as part of its east London transport strategy. Officials remain confident that the tunnel will serve as a catalyst for public transport improvements, but public scrutiny remains intense.
What’s next for the Silvertown Tunnel?
TfL says more detailed updates will follow as performance data accumulates. The transport authority insists the tunnel is a key component of its goal to create resilient, reliable, and greener travel options.
But with political and public opposition still vocal, and environmental concerns far from settled, the long-term value of the Silvertown Tunnel remains a matter of intense debate.
