Drivers are at risk of being slapped with huge charges every day from a new toll launching in London next week as less than 1,200 people have taken advantage of an exemption scheme.
Only 1,131 Londoners, businesses and charities have applied for discounts to drive through the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, according to data released by City Hall.
The figures, recorded as of February 17, show a concerning lack of uptake just weeks before the April 7 opening date.
London Assembly Liberal Democrat leader Hina Bokhari has described the low numbers as “very worrying”.
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Thousands of drivers could be charged every day next month
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The Silvertown Tunnel will link the Royal Docks with the Greenwich Peninsula, while the neighbouring 128-year-old Blackwall Tunnel will introduce the same toll charges when the new crossing opens.
Both tunnels will cost £4 at peak times and £1.50 during off-peak hours, although several discount schemes are available for the tunnels.
Low-income residents across 13 southeast and east London boroughs can claim a 50 per cent discount on the charge.
Eligible residents must be receiving benefits such as universal credit, income support or carer’s allowance, while Blue Badge holders are exempt.
Small businesses, sole traders and charities in Greenwich, Tower Hamlets and Newham can get £1 off the off-peak charge.
Vehicles with nine or more seats and roadside recovery vehicles can also cross without charge.
According to the data, 904 residents had applied for the discount scheme. Of these, 779 applications were complete, while 125 lacked required evidence such as proof of address, the Greenwich Wire reported.
Only 227 applications came from businesses and charities across the three eligible boroughs. Greenwich saw 101 business applications, while Tower Hamlets received 53 and Newham 73.
The application window for discounts opened on January 27, giving eligible Londoners just over two months to apply before the tunnels’ tolling begins.
Councillor Bokhari added: “The Mayor doesn’t like talking about the Silvertown Tunnel, which is why we call it his ‘dirty little secret’, but his lack of openness about it means not enough Londoners know about the discounts they could apply for, or even that a toll will exist.”
Bokhari described the tunnel as “an environmental and financial millstone” and urged the mayor to “own up to the impacts it will have, and ensure local people are fully aware of discounts available to them.”
TfL’s chief customer and strategy officer Alex Williams admitted at a board meeting last month that the uptake for discounts was “not as great as I’d like”.
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The new Silvertown Tunnel will open on April 7, 2025
TFL
In response to concerns, Khan detailed extensive communication efforts to raise awareness about the discounts, with over 1.5 million leaflets being delivered to residents across 13 east London boroughs.
The Mayor said TfL is “working closely with stakeholders including boroughs, assembly members, MPs and those representing low-income Londoners” to ensure discount information reaches as many people as possible.