How Sadiq Khan’s New Toll is Gonna Pay the Bills (and Keep Tunnels Rolling)
Picture this: the Blackwall Bridge and the soon‑to‑open Silvertown Tunnel are about to unveil a brand‑new “pay‑to‑pass” system. Mayor Sadiq Khan says it’s not just about making a quick buck—he wants to plug a £15 bn hole in TfL’s finances. Ready for the drama?
What’s the Deal?
- When: Silvertown opens in 2025, the tolls roll out.
- Where: Both the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels get the charge.
- Why: To cover annual construction repayments, maintenance, and extra revenue for TfL.
- How: Toll fees + penalty notices will fund the scheme.
- What’s the Buzz: The mayor reckons the revenue will “more than cover” all costs.
City Hall Conservatives Want the Numbers
Keith Prince, the City Hall Conservative transport spokesman, isn’t folding his hands this time. He’s calling on Khan to lay out the exact price motorists will see on their phone when they hit the toll booth.
“Sadiq Khan is waging war on motorists to plug the huge blackhole in TfL finances,” Prince remarks, thrillingly pointing out that motorists already shell out close to £1 bn in road‑user charges, including that eyebrow‑raising ULEZ fee in outer London.
In short, the public wants transparency: *How much are we paying, and what portion of that is really going into the TfL coffers – not just the “official” expenses?
Transport for London’s Response
A TfL spokesperson shrugged (figuratively, not literally) and said the user charge’s main goal is traffic management and environmental improvement.
- First idea threw the towel in 2012, then the government green‑lighted it in 2018.
- With the planning consent, tolls are mandatory to keep the numbers in check.
- Exactly how much each driver pays is still in the works, but they’re promised discounts for local low‑income folks.
- Final figures? Expect a press release in 2025.
One Sentence to Sum It All Up
“The Silvertown and Blackwall tolls will manage traffic and “deliver the promised environmental and economic benefits,” says TfL. The race? Get the basic, honest, no‑frills price tag out there.
