Vozači u Londonu su pogođeni povećanjem cijena tunela Blackwall i Silvertown mjesecima nakon povećanja naknade za zagušenje i naknade za Dart

London drivers face yet another financial burden as Transport for London (TfL) announces a 5 per cent increase in tolls for the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels, effective from September 21. The move adds to a series of recent hikes targeting vehicle users in the city, including the Congestion Charge and the Dart Charge, which have already seen substantial increases over the past year. The new pricing structure applies to all vehicle types, with peak-time charges rising for cars and small vans from £4 to £4.20 during specific hours, northbound between 6 am and 10 am, and southbound between 4 pm and 7 pm, Monday through Friday. Non-peak times see a smaller increase, with the cost for car drivers climbing to £1.55 from £1.50. For heavy goods vehicles, the tolls jump significantly, with peak-time charges reaching £10.50 each way and off-peak fees rising to £5.25. Large vans will pay £6.80 at peak times and £2.60 off-peak, representing increases of 30p and 10p respectively. Motorbike and moped users also face slight increases, with peak-time charges moving from £2.50 to £2.60 and off-peak costs rising to £1.55. The Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels, situated in eastern London, link the Greenwich Peninsula with areas in Newham such as Poplar and Silvertown. These tunnels handle between 91,000 and 100,000 vehicles daily, making them critical arteries for commuters and freight. The Silvertown Tunnel, which opened in April 2025, was constructed at a cost of approximately £2.2 billion and aimed to alleviate congestion in the previously overloaded Blackwall Tunnel, which had been toll-free since its construction in 1897. Christina Calderato, director of strategy at TfL, stated that the increased tolls are necessary to manage traffic demand and support broader goals such as enhancing the road network’s performance, promoting public transport usage, and improving air quality. She emphasized that without these charges, traffic congestion would likely worsen, leading to longer commute times and deteriorating environmental conditions. The timing of this announcement is notable, coming nearly 16 months after the Silvertown Tunnel's opening. Prior to its launch, the Blackwall Tunnel had been free to use, contributing to persistent bottlenecks in the area. Since the introduction of the Silvertown Tunnel, journey times have reportedly decreased by up to 58 per cent, and local air quality has improved. To facilitate payment, TfL offers an Auto Pay system, which allows drivers to avoid manual transactions. Over 3.7 million vehicles are currently registered for this service, up from 2.65 million in January 2025. Approximately 85 per cent of tunnel user charges are now processed through Auto Pay. Failure to pay the toll results in penalty charge notices (PCNs) of £180, which can be reduced to £90 if settled within two weeks. A maximum of one PCN per day is issued to ensure compliance. The latest toll increase marks the second major adjustment for London drivers in 2026, following the Congestion Charge hike from £15 to £18 in January. This follows a previous 40 per cent increase in the Dart Charge, implemented 12 months earlier. Both measures were introduced under similar reasoning, managing traffic flow and reducing congestion. Public reaction to these ongoing changes has been mixed. Some residents and business owners argue that the continuous imposition of charges disproportionately affects commuters and small businesses, while others acknowledge the need for infrastructure improvements and sustainable transportation policies. As TfL continues to implement these strategies, the focus remains on balancing economic pressures with the goal of creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly urban mobility landscape.