Transport for London’s public consultation asking for views on a proposed package of measures to improve river crossings in east and south-east London closes on Monday, 5 March.

The two proposals, a new road tunnel at Silvertown and a new vehicle ferry crossing at Gallions Reach, are aimed at easing congestion and unlocking the economic regeneration potential of this growing part of the Capital. 

The proposed new road tunnel would be located next to the Blackwall Tunnel and run underneath the River Thames, connecting Silvertown with the Greenwich Peninsula.  If approved it would transport up to 6,000 additional vehicles per hour, relieving pressure on the existing Blackwall and Rotherhithe Tunnels and providing a much needed alternate tunnel option in east and south-east London. 

The prospective vehicle ferry service linking Beckton directly with Thamesmead at Gallions Reach could transport up to 600 vehicles per hour and could replace the ageing existing ferry service at Woolwich, providing a more direct route across the river with increased capacity and frequency of service.

Initial studies for the proposed river crossings have found that they could improve traffic flows in the area and help lead to quicker and more reliable journey times.

An additional crossing at Silvertown would help to reduce delays at the Blackwall Tunnel. The full gauge tunnel would also help to alleviate the closures caused by over-height vehicles attempting to use the Blackwall Tunnel.  The new river crossings would be in addition to the Emirates Air Line, the UK's first urban cable car, currently under construction and scheduled to open this summer.  The Emirates Air Line will be able to transport up to 5,000 pedestrians and cyclists per hour across the Thames.

Subject to planning permission, other consents being granted and funding, construction for these new proposed links could begin as early as 2015, with a new vehicle ferry operational by 2017 and the Silvertown tunnel open by 2021.  The public consultation runs until Monday 5 March and members of the public are encouraged to share their views at tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings.