Transport for London consults on proposed new Thames Crossings

TfL is consulting on two new proposed crossings, which both aim to ensure traffic, people and goods can move efficiently across the river.  The proposals include a new vehicle ferry at Gallions Reach and a new tunnel road at Silvertown. 

The proposed new crossings are based in east and south east London, as these areas will be the focus for half of all London's population and employment growth over the next 20 years, TfL said.

The commitment to provide new river crossings for east and south east London was contained in the Mayor of London's transport strategy, published in May 2010.

The consultation proposals include Gallions Reach ferry, which would be a new vehicle ferry to improve connectivity and replace the Woolwich ferry. The proposals outline a purpose-built ferry that could carry more vehicles per boat than the existing Woolwich ferry. The route would also be designed to help better relieve existing congestion.

Silvertown Tunnel is proposed to link Silvertown and Greenwich and relieve congestion at Blackwell Tunnel by providing an alternate route. It has been designed to add more capacity to the road network and offer an alternative to the Blackwell Tunnel. The proposals would enable the tunnel to accommodate tall vehicles, which the Blackwall Tunnel cannot, said TfL.

Subject to securing the appropriate planning permissions and funding for these proposals, the ferry could be in place in 2017 and the road tunnel in 2021, said TfL.

New river crossings are needed to relieve the strain from the existing vehicle crossings and ensure that vehicles can easily cross the Thames river, which is important to achieve the projected growth, the consultation said.

The current routes available to cross the Thames are limited, TfL said, and their restrictions can lead to tunnel closures and delays for all vehicles. There is a width restriction at the Rotherhithe Tunnel and a height restriction at the Blackwell Tunnel.

The Woolwich ferry is ageing and is not in the best location for current or future needs, according to Tfl, and given the limitations to crossings, any incidents or closures mean that people need to make long diversions in order to find an alternative.

The consultation is open for responses until midnight on 5 March.