Silvertown tunnel opening: TfL launches Auto Pay system for toll discounts

TfL have launched Auto Pay for upcoming toll payments for both the new Silvertown tunnel and existing Blackwall tunnel.

There’s now less than three months until tolls will apply with Silvertown tunnel set to open on 7th April.

TfL reports have recently talked of a new PR drive and sure enough emails and press releases rolling out are following that roadmap.

Auto Pay is required to enable the lower rate of £1.50 for cars off-peak as well as discounts for those in twelve London boroughs. A list of reduced fares are here.

As is often the case TfL’s PR releases do not mention increased potential of afternoon southbound traffic through the A102 and A2 in Greenwich – despite TfL’s own modelling increasing that risk of congestion.

Southbound traffic each afternoon often backs up for some miles – and adding further traffic and HGVs onto the same road south of the Thames towards Kent is likely to further slow traffic in years to come.

TfL have peak times starting at 4pm – though tailbacks often start after 3pm. Then again given how little attention has been paid to traffic in Greenwich borough as well as zero spend on improved public realm it would appear the the area seems of little priority.

One stark example is dismal streets and approach roads across Greenwich peninsula to TfL’s £2 million cycle bus on Greenwich peninsula.

Another sign of that east London focus is TfL regularly describing discounts as only applying to east London residents – when it actually also applies to those in south east London as well.

On the bright side buses will be free including the 108.

As a private renter living costs are very high and ads bring in relatively little to the site. I run it alone, and you can support me through Paypal with a one-off or monthly donation here

Another option is via Patreon with offers monthly payments by clicking here

Finally there's the Ko-fi option

Many thanks

There's also a Facebook page for the site here