Transport for London state Silvertown tunnel costs go overbudget
Transport for London have given an update on Silvertown tunnel construction work and funding which shows an increased overspend.
The direct tunnel cost to TfL is now currently estimated at £187.7 which is £10.1m overbudget.
The report before the Programmes and Investment Committee notes approval was given to increase “the Silvertown Tunnel Programme additional unbudgeted Financial Authority of £7.2m and additional Programme and Project Authority of £10.1m”
Private consortium Riverlinx will fund the rest of costs at the £2.2bn, operate the tunnel and use tolls to recoup construction costs. The reimbursement figures above relate to Riverlinx for select costs.
Active Travel
Other mention of the tunnel include £3.1 million for “Silvertown Active Travel Works”.
Anyone hoping for improvements for dismal streets across Greenwich linking many communities to the area around the tunnel – or that famous cycle bike – will be disappointed, as it’s only north of the river that benefits. It’s for “Lower Lea Crossing Active Travel scope, which is being provided in the context of Silvertown Tunnel.”
Between Greenwich Council regularly refusing to improve links on foot and cycle between east Greenwich, Charlton and Greenwich peninsula and TfL refusing to fund improvements, the area remains dismal.
Last week Greenwich Council approved two major new housing developments.
One included an “Active Travel Assessment” that somehow looked at 14 routes from new homes to amenities and managed to ignore almost all the routes that were less than adequate. Impressive work.
As is common with reports such as these, it’s often not telling the entire story when it comes to certain issues.
For example, it proclaims how well they’ve been at removing spoil by barge. What it doesn’t say is that south of the river that ceased and lorries were used.
Traffic
Much like talk of congestion being alleviated only talks of northbound morning traffic and not southbound afternoon traffic where TfL recently increased total number of vehicles under their modelling into stretches through Greenwich borough already bumper to bumper daily.
In terms of the tunnel itself, TfL note that “the last gantry was installed in May this year, and drainage works continue along with road resurfacing. Safety barrier installation has also commenced.”
Fit out continues inside with 75km of electrical cable installed over the last quarter.
Consultation into tolls was undertaken earlier this year and the report states a decision is expected in December 2024.
Land north of the Thames is being released for future development which includes a potential new DLR station – though there is no confirmed funding for that.
£10 million is not a great deal in the grand scheme but terrible optics when they claim they cannot fund the Thames Wharf DLR station nearby nor proposed stations such as Surrey Canal Road on London Overground when both already have passive provision built in. Also pretty damning when the bus offer through the tunnel is just two new limited routes.
Absolutely Jeff. You are correct in everything you have said. . Thames Wharf DLR Station and the Surrey Canal Road Overground Station both do have massive provision built.
I do not think TFL care to much about public transport to be honest. Cutting the proposed bus services to use the Silvertown Tunnel from 5 to 2 was a grave mistake. With the SL4 being an express route through the tunnel does not benefit residents living in areas close to the Silvertown Tunnel entrances. Who rely on local stopping bus services.
I have campaign personally to get the 5 proposed routes reinstate to serve the Sum Tunnel, but it has fallen on deaf ears with the Mayor of London TFL, Local MP’s and Councillors at Greenwich Council. Newham Council did say they would like to see more bus routes serving the Silvertown Tunnel but do not think they have persued with the powers who be.
Let’s not forget TFL are continuing to cut bus services with the latest proposed to be axed are the 118 and 414. There will be many more routes facing the chop over the coming months and years. This is despite the ULEZ expansion across Greater London.
I agree with both Jeff and Graham..
I think the Silvertown Tunnels needs more bus routes linking East and South East London through the tunnel in readiness for the tunnels opening in 2025. So TFL urgently need to look at this issue as a matter of urgency..
Sadiq Khan Mayor of London goes on about making the Silvertown Tunnel public transport friendly. But then immediately axes 3 of the 5 route.s which were proposed to use Tunnel. It just does not make any sense. The tolls on both Silvertown snd Blackwall Tunnels are another attack on motorist who already pay vehicle duty tax (road tax), tax on fuel and insurance.
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