Silvertown Tunnel Works – 21st February 2023
I took these pictures of the Silvertown Tunnel works on the North Bank of the Thames today.
The first set of pictures were taken travelling to West Silvertown station, where I returned.
Should There Be Limits To The Type Of Vehicles Allowed In The Blackwall And Silvertown Tunnels?
When the Silvertown Tunnel opens in 2025, the tunnel and the nearby Blackwall Tunnel will be tolled.
But will there be any restrictions on the vehicles that can use the tunnels, other than those that apply to the Blackwall Tunnel at the present time, which are detailed in Wikipedia.
The tunnels are no longer open to pedestrians, cyclists or other non-motorised traffic, and the northbound tunnel has a 4.0-metre (13.1 ft) height limit.
Note.
- I suspect that pedestrians, cyclists or other non-motorised traffic will also be banned from the Silverton Tunnel.
- But the height limit will be relaxed for the Silverton Tunnel to allow large trucks and double-deck buses to use the tunnel.
According to this web page, which is entitled the Silvertown Tunnel Bus Network Proposals, the planned buses through the tunnel include.
- 108 – As now, with a minor route change.
- 129 – As now, but extended from North Greenwich station to Great Eastern Quay.
- X329 – An express bus from Grove Park station to Canary Wharf, which runs non-stop through the Silvertown Tunnel.
Note.
- The 108 goes through Blackwall and is a single decker bus.
- The 129 and the X329 will go through Silvertown and could be double decker buses.
- There appears to be no mention of any provision for cycles.
- I would assume wheelchairs, buggies and cases will be accommodated as they are on current London buses.
I also think, that the buses must be zero-carbon, which would mean battery-electric or hydrogen.
In Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles And Trains In Tunnels, I looked at the feasibility of running hydrogen buses through the tunnel and came to this conclusion.
I am confident, that we will achieve a safety regime, that allows hydrogen-powered vehicles and trains to be certified to pass through tunnels.
The great advantage of hydrogen buses on the three routes would be that they would probably only need to be filled up once a day, but electric buses might need constant charging.
Provision For Cycles
I think it is essential to have provision for cycles across the river.
- Folded cycles can be taken almost anywhere on London’s transport system.
- Non-folding cycles can be taken most places on London’s transport system, but the hours are restricted.
- There’s always the Woolwich Ferry.
- Given that the 108 bus seems to weave its way through the East End, I suspect that this bus couldn’t be longer to carry cycles.
I have seen double-deck buses, with provision for cycles at the back of the lower deck in Europe.
- Perhaps buses like these, could be used on the 129 and X329 routes.
- A search of the Internet found some buses in East Yorkshire with provision for two standard cycles.
- The 129 bus could ferry bikes between North Greenwich station and a convenient stop on the North side of the river.
- The X329 bus could ferry bikes over the non-stop section of the route between the Sun in the Sands and Leamouth roundabouts.
There could be shorter routes adding extra capacity between the stops, where bikes are loaded and unloaded.
Large Trucks Through The Tunnel
If buses become zero-carbon through the Blackwall and Silverton Tunnels, then why shouldn’t large trucks be zero-carbon?
I think this could be the carrot combined with free passage for zero-carbon vehicles that could clean up Central London’s polluted air.
Smaller Vehicles
Why not gradually reduce the size of vehicles going through the tunnels that must be zero-carbon?
Conclusion
The Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels can be used as the drivers to clean up Central London’s air.
Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles And Trains In Tunnels
In writing about the Silvertown Tunnel, I started to wonder, if hydrogen vehicles will be allowed in the tunnel.
Consider.
- I don’t think diesel-powered trains are allowed in the Channel Tunnel and the tunnels of the link to London.
- Some tunnels don’t seem to allow hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- In a few years, hydrogen-powered buses, cars, locomotives, trains, trucks and vans will be more common, than they are today.
But help is at hand, with a co-operation between UK and EU agencies called HyTunnel-CS.
It is over fifty years now, since I worked as an instrument engineer in an ICI hydrogen factory at Runcorn. Truckloads of hydrogen were filled and despatched all over the UK. I may be wrong, but in all those intervening years, I can’t remember a hydrogen emergency on the UK’s roads.
I am confident, that we will achieve a safety regime, that allows hydrogen-powered vehicles and trains to be certified to pass through tunnels.
Silvertown Tunnel Bus Network Proposals
This web page is the Silvertown Tunnel Bus Network Proposals.
These proposals are made.
- A new high frequency, limited stop service between Grove Park and Canary Wharf referred to in this consultation as route X239
- To extend route 129 (Lewisham – North Greenwich) north across the river to Great Eastern Quay via the Royal Docks development zone
- A minor change to route 108 so that it uses the new Millennium Way slip road to exit the Blackwall Tunnel southbound
- We are also seeking your views on route options for three sections of routes 129 and X239.
It looks like route 108 will continue to use the current stop.
The proposals include this map.
I copied this map from the TfL web site, as they don’t provide one for people who want or need to use it.
These are my observations.
The 108 Bus
The 108 seems to be more or less as now and will be continue to be run by a single-decker bus, as double-decker buses can’t use the Blackwall Tunnel.
North of the Thames, the 108 calls at these stations.
- Stratford International for DLR and National Rail.
- Stratford for DLR, Central, Elizabeth and Jubilee Lines, and National Rail.
- Bow Church for DLR
- Devons Road for DLR
- Langdon Park for the DLR
- Bazely Street (All Saints) for DLR
South of the Thames, the 108 calls at these stations.
- North Greenwich for the Jubilee Line.
- Westcombe Park for National Rail
- Blackheath for National Rail
- Lewisham for DLR and National Rail
Note.
- It is possible to go between Lewisham and Stratford on the DLR with a change at Canary Wharf.
- It is possible to go between North Greenwich and Stratford on the Jubilee Line.
- Westcombe Park station is on the Greenwich Line.
I would wonder, if many people use this bus route for long distances.
The 129 Bus
Note.
- The 129 appears to connect Lewisham and Greenwich to the City Airport and the Becton branch of the DLR.
- Many journeys on the 129 bus, might be easier using the DLR, with a change at Westferry or Poplar, which is probably what travellers do now.
- The 129 bus is shown on the map with a stop at Silvertown. Does that mean that it could connect with a Silvertown station on the Elizabeth Line?
- As the 129 bus will pass through the larger Silvertown Tunnel, it could be a double-decker route, instead of the current single-decker.
North of the Thames, the 129 calls at these stations.
- Gallions Reach for the DLR
- Beckton for the DLR
- Royal Albert for the DLR
- London City Airport for the DLR
- Silvertown
- Pontoon Dock for the DLR
- West Silvertown for the DLR
South of the Thames, the 129 calls at these stations.
- North Greenwich for the Jubilee Line.
- Cutty Sark for DLR
- Greenwich for DLR and National Rail
- Lewisham for DLR and National Rail
Would improvements and a frequency increase to the DLR and the building of Silvertown station, mean that changes to the 129 bus route, would not be so important?
The X329 Bus
Note.
- Canary Wharf must be served and starting at Westferry Circus is probably a good choice.
- But is Grove Park station, the ideal Southern terminal?
- Not stopping the X329 bus at North Greenwich is probably correct, as North Greenwich station is a large Jubilee Line and bus interchange close to the O2.
North of the Thames, the X329 calls at these stations.
- Canary Wharf for DLR and Elizabeth and Jubilee Lines
South of the Thames, the X329 calls at these stations.
- Blackheath for National Rail
- Lee for National Rail
- Grove Park for National Rail
Note.
- Blackheath station is on the Bexleyheath and North Kent Lines.
- Lee station is on the Dartford Loop Line.
- Grove Park station is on the South Eastern Man Line.
- Grove Park has a bus station, where there could be space for a battery charger for electric buses.
The X329 seems to have been partly designed on the premise, that an express bus should be run through the Silvertown Tunnel. But it does connect four of the rail lines going into London terminals to Canary Wharf.
Silvertown Station For London City Airport
Silvertown station would more than double the number of stations with easy routes to the London City Airport.
The Elizabeth Line would enable the direct connection that is needed to Canary Wharf, the City of London, Heathrow, Liverpool Street and Paddington stations and the West End.
- A single change at Abbey Wood, would give access to much of Kent.
- A single change at Farringdon, would give access to Thameslink services and Gatwick and Luton airports.
- Around 2030, a single change at Old Oak Common, would give access to High Speed Two services.
- A single change at Paddington, would give access to Wales and West services.
- A single change at Whitechapel, would give access to the great circle of the London Overground.
I believe the case for a Silvertown station with at least a good walking route to the London City Airport is strong, and the station would be a marvellous asset for Silvertown and the Airport.
The Northern End Of The Silvertown Tunnel From The DLR To Woolwich Arsenal – 6th January 2023
I took these pictures of the Northern end of the Silvertown Tunnel from DLR trains to and from Woolwich Arsenal.
Note.
- The New London City Hall and the Cable Car in the background.
- All pictures were taken going to Woolwich.
The pictures are better than the earlier ones, which I may retire.
The Northern End Of The Silvertown Tunnel
This map from OpenRailwayMap shows the Northern end of the Silvertown Tunnel.
Note.
- The two dotted white lines show the route of the Silvertown Tunnel.
- The green lines are the Docklands Light Railway.
- The Northern green line is the Beckton branch.
- The Southern green line is the Woolwich Arsenal branch.
- The two silver-grey lines that loop across the top part of the map are the Jubilee Line.
- Canning Town Station is in the North-West corner of the map.
- The pair of cream lines across the map to the South of Canning Town station are the tunnels of the Elizabeth Line.
- The black dotted line going across the South-East corner of the map is the cable car.
This Google Map shows vaguely the same area.
Note.
- Canning Town station at the North of the map in the middle.
- The dual carriage road running NW-SE past Canning Town station, is numbered A1011 in the North-West and A1020 in the South-East.
- The A1011 crosses over a roundabout and the Beckton branch of the DLR on a flyover.
- The roundabout is the Tidal Basin Roundabout, which will be the Northern connection of the Silvertown Tunnel.
- The road running West from the roundabout is the Lower Lea Crossing, which leads to Canary Wharf and the City.
- The water to the right, is the Royal Victoria Dock.
- The Royal Docks cable car station can be seen in the North-West corner of the dock.
- The new City Hall is between the cable car and the A1011.
Comparing the two maps, it appears that the Silvertown Tunnel will emerge somewhere in the cleared land to the West of the A1011.
This second Google Map shows the Tidal Basin roundabout, City Hall and the Royal Docks cable car station.
I took these pictures of the area from the cable-car yesterday.
Note.
- The cable-car wasn’t busy.
- I was sitting alone on the Western side of the car.
I have some thoughts about the Silvertown Tunnel.
The Silvertown Tunnel Is Convenient For The New City Hall
From the Google Map, I included earlier, it looks like City Hall is on a loop from the Tidal Basin Roundabout.
it is also especially convenient for those members and officials who live in South London, who will just nip through the new tunnel.
I suspect that limousine access for the great and good to the old City Hall wasn’t as good.
The Obvious Truck Route To The City of London From the Channel Tunnel Will Be To Use The Silverton Tunnel
Recently. I have been watching the construction of 22 Ropemaker Street and I have surprised at how many large components for this building have come in by truck from Europe.
As they seem to arrive overnight, they are probably sneaked in by a secret route like the A13 to avoid a crossing of the River.
As Blackwall and Rotherhithe Tunnels don’t have a high clearance, could these components come into City through the Silvertown Tunnel.
I certainly feel that large truck access to Central London, is the major reason for building the Silvertown Tunnel.
But will large numbers of trucks using the Silverton Tunnel increase congestion on the roads in East London?
As Hackney and Newham are against the Silvertown Tunnel, I suspect they expect lots of traffic to be generated.
Will Satellite Navigation Systems Recommend Using The Silvertown Tunnel?
Of course they will and I suspect when the Northern section of the M25 is congested, vehicles will be sent through the Silvertown Tunnel and London to go North. I must admit, that my brain has sent me on that route to get through London, when the M25 is congested. But then I would generally have been driving a nippy Jaguar estate car, that could use Rotherhithe Tunnel or the bridges in Central London.
The Southern End Of The Silvertown Tunnel
This map from OpenRailwayMap shows the Southern end of the Silvertown Tunnel.
Note.
- The O2 Arena at the top of the map in the middle.
- The blue arrow below it, which indicates North Greenwich station.
- The two dotted white lines show the route of the Silvertown Tunnel.
- The two silver-grey lines that loop across the top part of the map are the Jubilee Line.
- The black dotted line between the Jubilee Line and the Silvertown Tunnel is the cable car.
This second OpenRailwayMap shows the Silvertown Tunnel’s junction with the approach to the Blackwall Tunnel.
Note.
- The two dotted white lines show the route of the Silvertown Tunnel.
- Studio 338, which is a music and arts venue, is indicated by the double quaver.
- The site to the North of Studio 338 is labelled the East Greenwich Gas Works.
- The roads to the Northbound tunnel bores of both tunnels, split to the West of Studio 338.
- The roads from the Northbound tunnel bores of both tunnels, join to the West of Studio 338.
This Google Map shows the same area as the previous map.
Note.
- Studio 338 is clearly marked.
- To its North is a circular structure on the site labelled as the East Greenwich Gas Works on the previous map.
- Could this be the remains of a gas holder?
Could it be that the works to the West of the circular structure are the start of tunneling?
Conclusion
It looks to me, that the designers of the Silvertown Tunnel have been able to squeeze in a junction between the approaches to the two tunnels, that should be fairly free-flowing.
Construction Has Started On The Silvertown Tunnel
These pictures show that construction has started on the Silverton Tunnel.
Note that New Civil Engineer is reporting that tunnelling has started.
My Current Thoughts On The Silvertown Tunnel
In 2015, I wrote No To Silvertown Tunnel, which I started with these two paragraphs.
My personal feelings about the Silvertown Tunnel are that it is irrelevant to me, except that it might help some trucks bring goods that I buy online or at a local shop. Although as a sixty-eight year-old-widower living alone, I don’t think my transport needs through the tunnel will be high.
I don’t drive after my stroke and I like that lifestyle, except when last night it took me three trains, a coach and a taxi to get back from watching football at Ipswich. But that tortuous late night journey was caused because NuLabor spent my tax money on pointless wars that will haunt us for generations, rather than in extending and renewing our rail system, that will nurture and enrich our future.
But my objections to the Silvertown Tunnel have changed and expanded.
New Transport Infrastructure Attracts Passengers
This may seem obvious, but there has been several cases recently in London to prove my point.
- The London Overground has been a success beyond Transport for London’s wildest dreams and as an example the North London Line, that started with three x three-car trains per hour (tph) is now running eight x five-car tph. This is a four time increase in capacity.
- New buses and contactless ticketing have encouraged more passengers to use the buses.
- Electrification and new trains has transformed the Gospel Oak to Barking Line.
- The expansion of Thameslink and new trains now carries a lot more North-South traffic through London.
- Every time, a new section of the Elizabeth Line opens more passengers are attracted to the new line.
- The remodelling of London Bridge station has increased passenger numbers. And shoppers!
On a personal note, I live on a bus corridor, that runs between North London and Moorgate for the Lizzie Line. Since the Lizzie Line has been fully connected, passenger numbers have risen by a big margin.
I don’t believe that the ability to attract more traffic of the Silvertown Tunnel will be any different.
More Traffic Means More Congestion And Pollution
I live close to the Balls Pond Road, which increasingly seems to be a truck route across North London.
The Silvertown Tunnel will be two lanes each way; one for trucks and buses, and one for smaller vehicles.
I can’t see that pollution and congestion around the Silvertown Tunnel and on the routes to the tunnel, will not increase.
There Is Little Or No Provision For Cyclists And Pedestrians
This will be a big problem. Especially, as the local traffic in the area will increase dramatically.
Does Central London Have Enough Parking For The Increased Traffic?
Parking in Central London is probably close to capacity now!
So What Would I Do?
Given that construction has already started, I feel it is too late to cancel.
Better Alternatives Than Driving
I feel measures should be adopted that provide better alternatives than driving.
Obviously, this won’t help with trucks, but it could reduce the total number of vehicles going through the tunnel.
These could include.
- Increase the frequency of trains on both the Lizzie Line and Thameslink.
- Increase the number of destinations on both the Lizzie Line and Thameslink.
- Add an extra car to Lizzie Line trains.
- Remove First Class on the shorter eight-car Thameslink trains.
- Add provision on some Lizzie Line and Thameslink routes for bicycles.
- Add a Silvertown station to the Elizabeth Line for London City Airport.
- Add one or more pedestrian and cycling bridges across the Thames.
- Expand of the Docklands Light Railway.
- Expand the Thames Clipper.
- Connect Barking Riverside station to Thamesmead and Abbey Wood station either by a rail or a fast ferry.
- Keep the cable-car.
I suspect there are other viable ideas.
Develop Incentives To Use Public Transport
Incentives could be in these areas.
- Better station and bus terminals encourage more to use trains and buses.
- Full free onboard wi-fi and phone charging.
- Special fares for some journeys.
An example of the latter could be a discount for certain cross-river journeys.
Make The Silvertown Tunnel Available For Zero Carbon Vehicles Only
This would surely cut pollution in London.
Conclusion
We should use the Silvertown Tunnel to improve London’s air quality.
Serious Fire At Silvertown Tunnel Worksite: Severe Repercussions?
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Murky Depths.
Apparently, this may mean that the tunnel builders may have to build more affordable homes, if the tunnel is delayed.
Given the serious opposition to this tunnel, I wonder if this wasn’t an accidental fire.
Government Delays Silvertown Tunnel By Six Months
This article on City AM is entitled Government Delays Silvertown Tunnel Decision By Another Six Months Over Air Quality Concerns.
The decision on the Silverton Tunnel will now be made in May 2018.
But surely this is too early.
- The Elizabeth Line will open between Abbey Wood and Paddington stations in December 2018.
- The Elizabeth Line will open between Shenfield and Paddington stations in May 2019.
- Thameslink will open between Kent and Central London via London Bridge in May 2018.
- The ULEZ becomes operational in April 2019.
I would have thought that the decision should be made after the effects of these changes have settled down.
This map shows the route of the tunnel.
Will any other public transport developments reduce the urgency for the tunnel?
London City Airport Crossrail Station
Under New Stations, the Wikipedia entry for Crossrail says this about a station at Silvertown close to the London City Airport.
London City Airport has proposed the re-opening of Silvertown railway station, in order to create an interchange between the rail line and the airport. The self-funded £50m station plan is supported ‘in principle’ by the London Borough of Newham. Provisions for re-opening of the station were made in 2012 by Crossrail. However, it is alleged by the airport that Transport for London is hostile to the idea of a station on the site, a claim disputed by TfL
This must surely cut down the traffic needing to cross the Thames in this area.
Gallions Reach Crossing And Thamesmead Extension Of The Docklands Light Railway
Wikipedia has a section, which says this about the extension.
The proposed Gallions Reach Crossing has been suggested by TfL as allowing a branch to leave the existing DLR network at Gallions Reach, and cross the river on the proposed tunnel/bridge and into Thamesmead. The new branch could then pass through Thamesmead and towards Abbey Wood, Woolwich, or northwards towards Barking. On 4 October 2016 the London Assembly approved the extension to Thamesmead.
Will this extension be a game-changer?
Extending The Gospel Oak To Barking Line From Barking Riverside To Thamesmead
This is definitely another rail extension that will be looked at.
The New Southeastern Franchise
The successor for the current Southeastern franchise will be announced in August 2018 and they will take over the franchise in December 2018.
If this award follows the pattern of others in recent time, there will be a lot of new services and trains promised.
Updating The Woolwich Ferry
Wikipedia has a Future section for the Woolwich Ferry, which says that two new diesel-electric hybrid vessels are on order.
Conclusion
We should wait until all related issues and projects are decided before making the decision on the Silvertown Tunnel.
The Anonymous Widower 