London Traffic News

Northbound Blackwall Tunnel safety improvements completed more than a year early

2011-11-03T13:42:00.000Z

Essential safety works on the northbound Blackwall Tunnel have been completed over a year ahead of schedule. As a result overnight closures will end and motorists will regain full use of the tunnel from 11 November.

The improvements bring the 114 year old tunnel up to date with the latest safety standards, and are designed to significantly reduce the number of incidents which force the tunnel to close.

They include the installation and commissioning of new upgraded ventilation fans in the tunnel's four shafts, improved incident detection as well as installation of new lighting, upgraded CCTV and new communication systems throughout the tunnel.

New safety inlets have been constructed in the tunnel wall with emergency phones and fire extinguishers providing a safe area for drivers whose vehicles break down in the tunnel.

These will allow TfL to direct emergency services to specific incidents, helping them deal with any potential disruption more rapidly.

TfL have also introduced an additional lane for HGV vehicles on the northbound Blackwall Tunnel approach which will enable all over-height vehicles to be diverted away from the tunnel before they reach the entrance reducing unnecessary delays.

Last year over-height vehicles caused the northbound Blackwall Tunnel to be closed 1448 times, leading to a total of 56 hours of avoidable closures.

To allow this lane to become operational, changes to the traffic layout on the Blackwall Tunnel will be implemented on Friday 4 November.

Metropolitan Police Service Traffic-trained Police Community Support Officers will be on site for the first two weeks of operation to direct traffic, minimise disruption and ensure that vehicles adhere to the new traffic layout, which is initially on an experimental basis.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: 'It will be of huge relief to drivers who use the tunnel that we can finally bring the overnight closures to an end and I am very pleased that TfL have been able to do so over a year ahead of schedule.

'One of the reasons the tunnel is a notorious traffic hotspot is due to the number of times over-height vehicles try to scrape their way through. Last year a whopping 83 per cent of closures were for that reason and we hope the new trial over-height lane will greatly reduce the number of such incidents.'

The scale of refurbishment works carried out is such that a similar programme of work within the tunnel should not be required for another 25 years.

Conscious of the inconvenience that such major improvement schemes can cause Londoners, TfL has worked hard with its contractors to change working methods to prevent the need for closures and complete the refurbishment as quickly as possible.

By completing the works 13 months earlier than initially projected, the tunnel will now remain open overnight during the busy Christmas shopping period.

As with any infrastructure, some routine maintenance will still be necessary.

However, following the completion of these works, TfL will be reducing the planned maintenance closure regime from weekly to fortnightly, and only between 01:00 and 08:00 on Sunday morning.

A new closure regime will be established before the end of the year.

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer for London Streets at TfL said: 'TfL and its contractor BAM Nuttall have thrown everything at this project to get these vital works completed as quickly as possible while ensuring that disruption to local residents and road users was kept to a minimum.

'Completing this project 13 months early and with fewer weekend closures than we originally anticipated is a massive achievement and one that Londoners will welcome.'

Jay Moorhouse, Project Manager for contractor, BAM Nuttall, said: 'BAM Nuttall is proud to have played a major role in the refurbishment of the Northbound Blackwall Tunnel. The success of the project is a tribute to the collaborative relationship between Transport for London, BAM Nuttall, VVB and Mott MacDonald.'

Blackwall Tunnel 2nd Last Closure

2011-06-09T20:59:00.001+01:00

You won't be able to travel south through the tunnel on this weekend:

21:00 Friday 10 June - 05:00 Monday 13 June

Blackwall Tunnel closed to southbound traffic next weekend

2011-04-12T15:33:00.002+01:00

12 April 2011

Closure to take place across Easter weekend from 21:00 Thursday to 05:00 Tuesday, 21-26 April. Drivers advised to avoid the area if possible. Rotherhithe Tunnel will be dedicated to southbound traffic during closure.

Closure will allow tunnel works to be completed one year ahead of schedule.

The Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to southbound traffic next weekend as part of the ongoing refurbishment of the 113-year-old river crossing.

This will allow Transport for London's (TfL's) contractor, BAM Nuttall, to continue vital upgrade works as well as resurfacing the entire 1.4km tunnel, neither of which can be carried out during the weeknight closure programme.

In order to limit disruption for people during the Easter weekend, TfL has worked hard to put in place a whole range of alternative measures.

These include:

The Rotherhithe Tunnel will again operate two lanes in the southbound direction, only with the Blackwall Tunnel carrying only northbound traffic. This measure was used during previous weekend closures last year and resulted in considerably less congestion overall
Drivers who would usually use the Rotherhithe or Blackwall Tunnel will also be able to use alternative river crossings such as Southwark Bridge, London Bridge and Tower Bridge or the Dartford Crossing to complete their journey.
The Woolwich Ferry will also be operating a two-boat service across the Easter weekend (22, 23 and 25 April, 06:10-22:00; 24 April 09:00-21:30).
Since the refurbishment began in February 2010, TfL and its contractor, BAM Nuttall, have made phenomenal progress.

By working with the contractor and using innovative thinking to allow sections of the works to be carried out during the day, the works will now be completed by December 2011, one year ahead of the original programme.

Work completed early

Work completed so far includes the installation of new ventilation fans in the tunnel's four shafts as well as new lighting, upgraded CCTV and new communication systems installed throughout the tunnel.

TfL has also begun installing 26 inlets in the tunnel wall (including emergency phones and fire extinguishers) providing a safe area for any drivers whose vehicles have broken down within the tunnel.

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer for London Streets, TfL, said: 'We are making phenomenal progress on the refurbishment of the 113-year-old tunnel.

'As a result, the project is currently due to be completed one year ahead of schedule, which is a testament to the hard work we and our contractors have put into this project.

'However, despite this progress, this closure over the Bank Holiday weekend is required to carry out further vital works to the tunnel's road which cannot be carried out during the normal overnight closures.

'We apologise for the delays and inconvenience that this closure will inevitably cause.

'Across the Bank Holiday weekend, our contractor, BAM Nuttall, will again be working 24-hours-a-day over the weekend to minimise this disruption.

'However, I would urge drivers to avoid the area if they can.'

Phenomenal progress means only three more weekend closures of Blackwall Tunnel

2011-03-03T10:41:00.000Z

Project now due to be completed by December 2011 - one year ahead of schedule

Southbound closures will take place across Easter Bank Holiday weekend and the weekends of 10-13 June and 12-15 August
Rotherhithe Tunnel will once again be dedicated to southbound traffic during closures
Transport for London (TfL) will only need to carry out three more weekend closures of the northbound Blackwall Tunnel to complete the ongoing safety upgrade of the 113-year-old tunnel.

These closures will allow its contractor, BAM Nuttall, to continue vital upgrade works as well as resurfacing the entire 1.4km tunnel, neither of which can be carried out during the weeknight closure programme.

Weekend closures

Following discussions with key stakeholders including surrounding boroughs, user groups and key local businesses, these weekend closures have been timed to avoid major events in the area.

The closures will take place at the following times:

21:00 Thursday 21 April - 05:00 Tuesday 26 April
21:00 Friday 10 June - 05:00 Monday 13 June
21:00 Friday 12 August - 05.00 Monday 15 August

During the weekend closures, the Rotherhithe Tunnel will again operate two lanes in the southbound direction only, while the Blackwall Tunnel will carry only northbound traffic.

Drivers will also be able to use alternative river crossings such as Tower Bridge, the Woolwich Ferry or the Dartford Crossing to complete their journey.

Since work began in February 2010, new ventilation fans have been installed in the tunnel's four shafts as well as new lighting, upgraded CCTV and new communications systems installed throughout the tunnel.

Vital improvements

TfL has also begun installing 26 inlets in the tunnel wall (including emergency phones and fire extinguishers) providing a safe area for any drivers whose vehicles have broken down within the tunnel.

By working with the contractor and using innovative thinking to allow sections of the works to be carried out during the day, TfL and BAM Nuttall has managed to bring the project forward to complete in December 2011; one year earlier than originally expected.

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer for London Streets, TfL, said: 'TfL remains committed to do everything we can to minimise disruption to drivers in east London whilst these vital improvement works are being carried out.

'Although these works are progressing even better than we had hoped, there will be additional congestion due to these weekend closures. We therefore ask people to plan their journeys for these weekends in advance and avoid travelling through the area if at all possible.'

Blackwall Tunnel closures prompt new police team

2011-02-05T13:22:00.000Z

BBC News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12373213

A police team has been drafted in to cover an east London traffic tunnel which has been closed more than 1,500 times in nine months.

The Blackwall Tunnel, which runs underneath the River Thames, is one of the busiest and most congested routes in London.

Transport for London (TfL) is funding a team of police officers to help assist any incidents immediately.

A spokesman said most of the closures were due to vehicles being too big.

'Unnecessary closures'
Garrett Emmerson, TfL's chief operating officer for London Streets, said: "For every minute the tunnel is closed, it stops up to 60 vehicles passing through.

"On an average day, these unnecessary closures, many of which occur at peak time, can stop up to 750 vehicles a day passing through the tunnel."

The Road Response Police Team will be based at the tunnel on a three month trial basis to provide immediate response to any breakdowns.

Figures from TfL show in the last nine months the tunnel has been closed 1,604 times with 70% of those closures due to drivers "ignoring" the height restriction warning signs.

Vehicle breakdowns were responsible for 287 closures, a third of which were due to vehicles running out of fuel.

The Blackwall Tunnel carries around 100,000 vehicles a day across the river.

No tunnel closures from 6am 24/12/2010 to 9pm 4/1/2011

2010-12-10T21:02:00.000Z

Both the Blackwall Tunnel and Rotherhithe Tunnel will be open in both directions over the following days.

Blackwall Tunnel:
From 6am on the 24th December 2010 (23rd night though to 5am 24th will still be closed).
Until 9pm on the 4th January 2011 (4th night will resume nightly closures).

Rotherhithe Tunnel:
There will be no closures on the 25th of December or the 1st of January.
Rotherhithe weekly closures will resume on the 8th of January.

See londontraffic.org for updates and calendar views.

Boris Johnson: 'get a grip' on transport

2010-12-06T15:50:00.000Z

Boris Johnson: 'get a grip' on transport by Andrew Gilligan (The Telegraph Newspaper)

The Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond, takes what looks like a swipe at Boris Johnson in today’s Sunday Times. “The level of roadworks in London is completely out of control,” he says. “I don’t think anyone could describe driving in London as a pleasure.”

In the last ten days, amid the snow meltdown in transport and the wretched pre-snow performance of the Tube, even Ken Livingstone has been unable to miss the open goal. He has achieved an historic first, an attack line against Boris that might actually have some traction – “Get a grip.”

Eighteen months before the election Boris is, I think, more or less where he wants to be on most of his issues. After his sacking of Ian Blair, the Met has ceased to be a running sore, and crime is still falling. There are signs, at least for the moment, that the London economy is heading in the right direction, and perhaps more quickly than the rest of the country. Ken’s great hope, government spending cuts, will probably affect London less badly than anywhere else, because its economy is less dependent on the public sector – and Ken has messed up his attack on the cuts anyway.

But transport, the mayor’s biggest issue of all, is the great exception and headache. In the long term, with Crossrail happening, things look all right. But in the run-up to the election, Hammond’s salvo is the latest reminder that Boris hasn’t really “got a grip” on Transport for London, the bloated giant (complete with 231 managers on six-figure salaries) which he inherited from Livingstone.

TfL simply hasn’t adjusted to the new, post-crash world. Its costs are still ridiculous, limiting the mayor’s scope to do new things. How did it manage to spend £23 million on the first two cycle superhighways – which amount to little more than blue paint on a road? In Barking, it has spent £26 million on changing the number of one existing bus route (the 369, which has now become the “East London Transit”) and extending it a mile to the east through an almost totally deserted industrial wasteland in which it virtually never picks up a passenger.

These two projects alone cost about a quarter of the money raised by this year’s fare increase.

Transport is the area where the fewest of Boris’s manifesto promises have been kept. He promised to “make traffic flow more smoothly” and “rephase traffic lights” in order to “cut congestion.” But TfL’s policy is now merely to “review” traffic light timings, slowly, and few of the absurd numbers of traffic lights installed under Ken seem to have been significantly re-phased, or removed. On one road near me, there are 11 sets of lights in less than a mile, controlling even junctions with minor side streets and including several pelican crossings which turn red throughout the day and night even when no pedestrian is near.

The object, no doubt, was to further Ken’s war on the hated motorist – still fervently endorsed inside “Transport for Livingstone” – but bus passengers and cyclists are just as badly affected.

TfL has frustrated Boris’s promise to “promote greater use of the river.” It has quietly removed the high-frequency Thames Clipper commuter service from its new river timetable booklet, given out on piers and at stations and information centres, and now only includes the tourist boats. The only timetable information it now gives for the commuter service is an almost incomprehensible summary sheet, downloadable from its website.

TfL hates things it does not directly control and has been consistently hostile to Thames Clippers, despite the entire service consuming only a twentieth of the subsidy given to one single bus route (the East London Transit above.) Far from being “promoted,” the service is now less than when Boris took office.

TfL has simply refused to reinstate tidal flow in the Blackwall Tunnel, another manifesto promise, and has watered down the mayor’s new Routemaster. Pledges to extend the Tube for an hour on Friday and Saturday nights, and to work for a no-strike agreement, also appear to have been quietly shelved.

But most important, of course, is the Underground’s poor day-to-day service. TfL cannot be blamed for the recent wave of industrial action – which strikes more than one observer as a fairly cack-handed attempt to help Ken’s re-election campaign- and on which the public broadly backs the Mayor anyway. But it can be blamed for the recent serious disruption to the Tube on non-strike days, and the ongoing, endless weekend closures, which never seem to make the slightest difference to the service. My old paper, the Standard, splashed with “Come back Boris and take charge” the other day.

Continue Reading Here: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/andrewgilligan/100066809/boris-johnson-get-a-grip-on-transport/

Blackwall Tunnel November 2010 Disruptions

2010-10-29T10:54:00.000+01:00

Planned strike action by RMT and TSSA members affecting the London Underground

2nd November the Blackwall tunnel closure will start to be implemented at 23:30hrs

3rd November the Blackwall tunnel closure may be delayed if traffic congestion is experienced but will start to be implemented by no later than 22:00hrs and fully in place by 22:30hrs

14th November the Blackwall tunnel closure will be cancelled due to a combination of a Jubilee Line closure and a concert at the O2 (Gorillaz)

Blackwall Tunnel Weekend Closure Update

2010-10-13T13:36:00.001+01:00

Blackwall Tunnel Weekend Closure

Friday 15th October 21:00 - Monday 18th October 05:00

During the closures:

Northbound traffic will be diverted through the (Southbound) Blackwall Tunnel.
Southbound traffic will be diverted to other crossings such as Tower Bridge, Rotherhithe Tunnel or the Dartford crossings.

Please note that Rotherhithe Tunnel will be for Southbound Traffic only. Use both lanes.

So going North use Blackwall Tunnel and going South use Rotherhithe Tunnel. Simple.

Blackwall Tunnel northbound refurbishment to be completed six months early

2010-08-27T15:58:00.000+01:00

Frustrated by the closures? Get to the tunnel at 9.00pm sharp only to find they closed the entrance at 8.59pm - Enjoy your bonus 30 to 60 minutes extra travel time while you make a major diversion.

Well this should all end about 6 months sooner than planned. BAM Nuttall was offered a bonus to finish the project early and it seems they will be cashing in!

TfL News Report:

The project is now expected to be completed before the London 2012 Games. The 10-13 September weekend closure is no longer necessary.
Essential works to upgrade the northbound Blackwall Tunnel are set to be completed six months ahead of schedule, Transport for London (TfL) announced today.

When work started in February, it was expected to take three years to complete the £70m refurbishment of the 113-year-old tunnel.
However, TfL and its contractor, BAM Nuttall, have made excellent progress on the refurbishment which means the safety upgrade will be finished in time for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in July 2012.
Work completed so far includes the installation of new ventilation fans and concrete floors in two of the tunnel's four shafts, and the installation of temporary lighting, CCTV and communications systems throughout the tunnel, which will allow the old systems to be removed.
Work to install the permanent systems, which will bring the tunnel up to current standards, will begin later this year.
Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London's Transport Adviser, said: 'We understand the frustration that drivers feel when a closure affects their journeys.
'But this refurbishment is essential to their safety when using the 113-year-old tunnel.
'Credit should go to the engineers whose rapid progress now means those works may be able to finish six months earlier than scheduled, and in time for the 2012 Games.

Reducing closures

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer for London Streets, TfL, said: 'The teams carrying out and managing the refurbishment of the northbound Blackwall Tunnel have made exceptionally good progress.
'Because of this we expect to complete the essential safety and security upgrade at least six months early, in time for the London 2012 Olympics.'
'We remain committed to completing these works as quickly as possible and with the minimum amount of disruption for drivers who use the tunnel.'
Because of the excellent progress of the refurbishment programme, TfL has cancelled the previously advertised weekend closure for 10-13 September.
TfL has also confirmed that there will be no overnight closures of the Blackwall Tunnel for refurbishment works during the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The final weekend closure of 2010 will now take place from 21:00 on 15 October, to 5:00 on 18 October.
This will allow our contractor to carry out work on the ventilation shafts that can't be done during normal weeknight closures.
The closure has been planned to avoid any major local events and closures on the Jubilee line, Docklands Light Railway or other river crossings in London.
TfL also expects to be able to reduce the number of weekend closures required next year.

A final decision on this will be made after the October weekend closure.

Bomb was in the southbound lane of the Blackwall tunnel, under the dome

2010-08-17T13:16:00.000+01:00

A day in history..

If you drive through the Blackwall Tunnel often you can't help but wonder 'what if'. (A common question)

What if there was an explosion or significant fire in the tunnel - what would happen? Well there is good news and bad news. If there is a large fire it can cause intoxicating smoke quite quickly but you will likely be saved by very large extractor fans that can push or pull smoke in either direction to the nearest ventilation exit of the tunnel. These fans are controlled by an operative who will have to decide in a very short period of time where the majority of people are and how to best avoid sending smoke in their direction.

An explosion whether by accident or not is a different matter as it could cause structural damage to the roof of the tunnel thereby causing a 'cave in' from the river above. The tunnel would flood quickly causing the protective flood gates at either end of the tunnel to drop into place and stop the water from escaping into the city. If you happen to be in the tunnel and something like this does happen avoid hanging around to see the damage as you may only have a short period of time to exit safely.

The car fire that took place last year shows how easily something can happen and the article below reminds us that there is a reality to these scenarios.

[Article]

TONY Blair went ahead with the midnight opening ceremony of London's Millennium Dome despite a bomb alert threatening him and the Queen.

The risk from an explosive device, allegedly in a tunnel under the dome, was taken so seriously the police began to dig through the floor of one of the attractions two hours before the celebration was due to begin.

The disclosure that the event in 2000 nearly had to be called off has been made by Jennie Page, former chief executive of the London Millennium Dome project, who has spoken for the first time since she was sacked in February 2000. "I was told by the police there was a coded message of a bomb," says Ms Page, speaking on this Sunday's Radio 4 program The Reunion.

"They said the bomb was in the southbound lane of the Blackwall tunnel, under the dome."

"I found myself running from taking the prime minister from the play zone to the VIP centre to meet the Queen, where she was to receive a millennium medal. While this was happening, I was told the police were starting to excavate the body zone, which was above the tunnel. I had to take the decision whether or not to abort the opening."

In the end, Paul Condon, then commissioner of the Metropolitan police, in consultation with home secretary Jack Straw, advised it would be safe to continue, as the threat seemed to be a hoax. Ms Page said the Queen was not told of the bomb alert but Mr Blair was.

Peter Higgins, designer of the play zone, one of a series of attractions in the giant tent, was with Mr Blair and his family just after the prime minister learned of the bomb scare.

Mr Higgins, who is interviewed for the radio program, says he first heard of the threat when Ms Page discussed it in the recording studio before the show. Only then did he realise why he had found "Blair, ashen-faced with his wife and children. They were gathered together in what I'd call a spiritual way".

The Sunday Times

Motorists fuming at 2012 Olympic Lanes

2010-08-17T12:37:00.000+01:00

Once again the general public are getting the short end of the stick and little white lies that are quickly forgotten continue to be norm.

Somehow media reports are downplaying the impact of these lanes and how we should be lucky there isn't one in the Blackwall Tunnel - even though there will be one right up to the tunnel entrance.

At least the Association of British Drivers (ABD) has their blinkers off but I doubt anyone has any influence over the government who do what they want when they want.

I agree with the article below that indicates there will be closer to 49 days worth of disruption and it may even be more with increased traffic before and after the events.

Lets not forget the equestrian event that will ruin Greenwich Park because some appointed official has decided that even with thousands of local residents opposing the location they will continue anyway.
I am sure its not because there will be any pocket stuffing.

[Clip from Docklands24 Newspaper]

MOTORING groups are fuming at plans to create 'Olympic Lanes' on London roads during the 2012 Games.

Roger Lawson, London ABD co-ordinator, said: "We see no reason why games administrators, media staff, employees of games sponsors and their guests should be able to occupy valuable road space to the exclusion of Londoners going about their normal business.

"The proposed penalty of £200 for infringing these lanes is simply outrageous, when there is no justification for it at all."

He added Londoners will be affected for 49 days in total - not the 17 claimed by London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Reserved lanes will be installed on roads including Tower Hill, The Highway, Limehouse Link, the A106 Blackwall Tunnel Northern Approach and the A102 Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach.

Continue reading at Docklands24

London Triathlon Road Closures 7th to 8th August 2010

2010-08-07T09:10:00.000+01:00

The Challenger World London Triathlon 7th & 8th August 2010

Road Closures and Diversions

Saturday 7th August: Road Closures and Diversions

All roads within the ExCeL exhibition centre will have restrictions / closures. Access will be for

parking only (no through route)

Tidal Basin Road will be closed to Lower Lea Crossing

Lower Lea Crossing is closed

Royal Albert Way dual carriageway is closed in both directions between Gallions roundaboutand Connaught Bridge

These closures will be from 0600hrs on Saturday 7th August until 2000hrs on Sunday 8th August

Sunday 8th August: Extensive Closures

Roads affected include Aspen Way, Limehouse Link Tunnel, The Highway, Tower Hill, Byward Street,

Upper & Lower Thames Street and Victoria Embankment.

Closures 05:00 – 12:00

Victoria Embankment closed in both directions

Upper Thames Street, Lower Thames Street and Byward Street to Tower Hill closed

Eastbound, westbound access available for The Tower only

East Smithfield closed eastbound, westbound open for two way traffic to access Wapping.

Tower Bridge will only provide access to Wapping, Shadwell and westbound carriageway for access to The Tower

Tower Bridge is CLOSED to through traffic

Southwark Bridge will provide access for local residents only

These roads will reopen at 12 noon.

Closures 05:00 – 18:00

Closed in both directions

The Highway

Limehouse Link tunnel

Aspen Way (expect for local access between Castor Lane and Prestons Road Roundabout)

East India Dock tunnel

The Limehouse Link tunnel

All traffic should consider using A13 but please allow extra time as traffic is likely to be heavier in both directions.

Access to St Katherine’s, Wapping & Shadwell:

05:00 – 12:00

Traffic leaving Wapping must use Vaughan Way and East Smithfield to travel south over Tower Bridge, from here routes in all directions can be chosen as appropriate

Vehicles travelling to the area between the times MUST travel north over Tower Bridge and use the contra flow on East Smithfield

12:00 – 18:00

From 12 noon, follow the signed diversion from Tower Hill around the Minories to Dock Street, crossing straight over the Highway into Vaughan Way. When exiting Wapping use East Smithfield or Dock Street

OPEN

The Rotherhithe and Blackwall Tunnels are unaffected by the event, as are London Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge (no access to Embankment), Waterloo and Westminster Bridges.

Sunday 8th August – Detailed information on closures and diversions

South to North/ North to South:

Closures 05:00 – 12:00

Tower and Southwark Bridges will provide local access but should not be used by through traffic.

Diversions

All other river crossings are unaffected by the event, including the Rotherhithe Tunnel, Blackwall Tunnel and Blackfriars, London and Waterloo Bridges

Tower and Southwark Bridges will provide local access only to residents and visitors south of The Highway & Thames Street from 0500hrs – 1200hrs

The Highway A1203 closed

East to West / West to East

Closures in both directions 05:00 – 18:00

East India Dock Tunnel

Aspen Way except for local access from Castor Lane to Prestons Road Roundabout

Limehouse Link Tunnel

The Highway

Diversions

The A13 will provide the main diversion route for traffic travelling east or west in the area but the A11, A12, A200 and A206 are all open as alternatives

Blackwall Tunnel is unaffected by the event

Cotton Street, Prestons Road, Westferry Road are unaffected

Lower Lea Crossing

Aspen Way has single lanes open Westbound between Leamouth roundabout, Prestons Road roundabout and East bound between Castor Lane and Prestons Road roundabout

Specific Areas: Diversions

Aspen Way

Single lanes running East and Westbound for access as above.

Blackwall Tunnel

Prestons Road

Cotton Street

Westferry Road- West India Dock Road- East India Dock Road

Beckton

Access from ExCel to Beckton

Access via Prince Regent Lane and Tollgate Road

Britannia Village

Travelling to central London use A13, via Silvertown Flyover

North Woolwich Road A1020, via Silvertown Way open

Traffic can travel via North Woolwich Road and Connaught Bridge, Victoria Dock Road and Prince Regent Lane onto A13 open in both directions

Royal Albert Way closed

Canning Town

Access on Silvertown Way and North Woolwich Road

Access via Prince Regent Lane

A13 open in both directions

Custom House

Access Via Prince Regent Lane, Victoria Dock Road

Royal Dock Road, Woolwich Manor Way and Connaught Bridge with access to Excel

Canary Wharf

Access to A13 via Cotton Street and East India Dock Road

A1206 Westferry Road open

Prestons Road open

Hertsmere Road open

Poplar High Street open

Westferry Slip to Limehouse Link Closed 0500hrs -1800hrs

Isle of Dogs

A1206 Westferry Road open

Prestons Road via A13

Hertsmere Road open

Access to A13 via Cotton Street

Jamestown Way

Traffic can exit at any time via Leamouth roundabout, west to Cotton Street and Prestons Road.

Access is from the A13, south on Leamouth Road and use Orchard Place slip roads to reach properties south of Leamouth roundabout

Orchard Place

Traffic should use the A13 and Leamouth Road south to Leamouth roundabout where access to Orchard Place is maintained at all times

Exiting traffic will travel west along Aspen Way to Cotton Street where access north or south is available

Poplar

Use West India Dock Road

Prestons Road straight onto Cotton Street

Limehouse Link closed

A13 Commercial Road open- East India Dock Road open

Southwark

Access from Southwark to north of the river - use Blackfriars, Waterloo or London Bridge

Tower Bridge 0500hrs – 1200hrs Local Access only

London City Airport

City Airport can be reached at all times from the A13 via Canning Town, Prince Regent Lane and Connaught Bridge or the Royal Docks Road, via Gallions roundabout

Traffic using Aspen Way should turn left at Leamouth Roundabout and use the A13 for any of the above options

Royal Albert Way dual carriageway is closed throughout the weekend

London Regatta Centre and Yi-ban Restaurant

Reached via Connaught Bridge, using alternative access via the ExCel Exhibition Centre sliproad

Wapping/Shadwell

Exiting Wapping

The Highway is closed 05:00 – 18:00 with access provided at all times via Vaughan Way and East Smithfield.

Before 12 noon vehicles will following directions south over Tower Bridge. Those wishing to travel north can then choose the most suitable route to continue their journey including the Rotherhithe Tunnel, London and Blackfriars Bridges. Southwark Bridge is closed until 12 noon.

From 12 noon access is still via Vaughan Way but roads to the west open and direct access north is available via Tower Hill and Dock Street.

Accessing Wapping

Before 12 noon all vehicles accessing Wapping MUST TRAVEL NORTH OVER TOWER BRIDGE. At Tower Hill traffic turns right, with a contra flow system on East Smithfield giving access to Vaughan Way.

Access will also be available west to the Tower and exit via Southwark Bridge. There will be no access north or south across Tower Hill junction.

More Details Visit:

http://www.thelondontriathlon.co.uk/

Blackwall Tunnel September Closure Cancelled

2010-08-06T11:07:00.001+01:00

Blackwall Tunnel Weekend Closure for September the 10th to 13th has been cancelled.

The October closure will remain.

2012 Olympic Games - Closure Lanes Published

2010-07-29T17:08:00.009+01:00

The 2012 Olympic Games governing body has released the proposed London wide road lane closures today.

What could possibly be wrong with this picture? The lane closures are primarily on the already over congested road network and will no doubt cause severe problems no matter how they try to say it won't and how they have done their best.

Over the past year I was told the Blackwall Tunnel will have lanes closed. Then they said it won't BUT once again it seems they are going back on what was said and closing the lanes right up to the tunnel. This effectively will cause severe problems for people getting to work and back.

The fine for travelling in these special lanes will rise from £120 to £200 (see links below) to make sure you don't chance it when you are late for work!

Here are the details of how many extra people will be using the roads over this period:

The ORN/PRN will ensure that athletes get to their events on time along with the judges, referees and other officials who are needed for the Games. Users of the ORN are:

18,000 athletes and team officials during the Olympic Games (6,000 during the Paralympic Games)

5,000 technical officials including judges, referees and umpires

6,000 Olympic officials from the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and International Sports Federations

20,000 broadcast media and 8,000 journalists and photographers from across the world

25,000 marketing partners whose funding and support is essential to the running of the Games

The total number using the ORN during the Games is 82,000.

Here are detailed links:

Map 1 - Overview map of the Olympic Route Network

Map 3 - Map showing the temporary Games Lanes on the Olympic Route Network

Map 8 - ExCeL and Greenwich

Penalty Charge Level Consultation - £120 becomes £200

Olympic Route Network and Paralympic Route Network

Dedicated Website for Olympic Route Network

Barclays Cycle Hire launches 30 July

2010-07-29T16:23:00.007+01:00

Boris Johnson - Barclays Cycle Hire kicks off this Friday the 30th July 2010!

With so many cyclists around I was wondering why they only had 2000 members clock in.

So I went to their website: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/

Ooops - the home page failed to load.. maybe they will fix it soon.

Later on I located the sub page here http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/14808.aspx

So what seems to be the problem with the slow uptake?

1: The price - Have a look and tell me why anyone might think that taking an 8hr day trip for £50 with the bike is not worth it. Unless it is to work in the morning (in which case there will be no bikes left). It is unlikely that you will be using it in under 30 minutes so rather just go buy a bike because even the casual user will rake up about £30 per month - enough to buy one on credit.

2: Pick up and drop off - They allow you to pick up from point A and drop off at point B but what if point B is full and the next drop off point is a mile away? Now what? Don't panic you get 15 minutes bonus time to get to the next drop off point. Lucky you!

3: Late charges - £150 are you mad? its worse than the congestion charging fine. Up to £300 damage charges. Just how is this going to be policed? Enough to scare me away for now.

Compulsory Access Fee £1 per usage day plus the usage fee:

Up to 30 minutes - FREE

Up to an hour - £1

Up to one and a half hours - £4

Up to two hours - £6

Up to two and a half hours - £10

Up to four hours - £15

Up to six hours - £35

Up to 24 hours (maximum) - £50

To hire for more than a couple of hours it might be cheaper for you to use a company that specialises in hiring for longer periods.

However if you really want to give it a go here is a link to the map for your nearest location:

https://web.barclayscyclehire.tfl.gov.uk/maps

[The map didn't work for us but I assume they will fix it soon]

Maybe a cycle journey planner will help you plot your route!

http://cyclejourneyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/cycle/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en

[On testing we picked from Cutty Sark to Docklands at 11pm. The result was to use the Greenwich Foot Tunnel but its closed at night so I guess there is a failure to input closures into the equation]

If you need to call the customer service number try 0845 026 3630.

Or for complaints call 020 8216 6666.

Greenwich Foot Tunnel Closure

2010-07-19T22:02:00.010+01:00

Greenwich Foot Tunnel Opening Times? Greenwich Foot Tunnel Closure Times? Good question!

As some people are well aware most of the river crossings in East London are under some kind of refurbishment. Many of you have exchanged your cars for bicycles due to the problems with the Blackwall Tunnel closures and you may have been enjoying your new fitness program in the sunshine but this is all about to be cut short in the evenings.

Starting 26th July 2010 for +-12 weeks | Greenwich Foot Tunnel Closed from 9pm to 6am Monday to Friday

The Thames Clipper replacement service will NOT BE FREE.

Cost will be £3.20 per adult Cash or £2.88 per adult with Oyster Card.

A Thames Clipper river boat replacement service will be made available until 1am, offering a crossing for pedestrians and cyclists between Masthouse Terrace Pier (Off Napier Ave) in the Isle of Dogs and Greenwich Pier in Cutty Sark Gardens.

Thames Clipper Monday to Friday Evening Departure Times (3 minute crossing time)

Southbound from Masthouse Terrace Pier to Greenwich Pier:

Departing @ 20h02, 20h34, 21h04, 21h37, 22h07, 22h37, 23h07, 23h37, 00h07, 00h37, (00h57 on O2 event nights)

Northbound Departing Greenwich Pier to Masthouse Terrace Pier:

Departing @ 20h18, 20h48, 21h18, 21h48, 22h18, 22h48, 23h18, (23h38 on O2 event nights)

Thames Clipper Saturday to Sunday Evening Departure Times (3 minute crossing time)

Southbound from Masthouse Terrace Pier to Greenwich Pier:

Departing @ 20h02, 20h22, 20h42, 21h15, 21h45, 22h15, 22h45, 23h15, 23h45, 00h15, 00h45, (01h15 on O2 event nights)

Northbound Departing Greenwich Pier to Masthouse Terrace Pier:

Departing @ 20h28, 20h58, 21h28, 21h58, 22h28, 22h58, 23h28, (23h58 on O2 event nights)

Walking Map from Greenwich Foot Tunnel North to Masthouse Terrace Pier [Google Map]

Walking Directions: From Greenwich Foot Tunnel North walk back to Manchester Rd and head West (left if facing Island Gardens DLR) shortly Manchester Rd will become Westferry Rd. Continue along Westferry Rd for 7 minutes. Turn left down Napier Ave and then right into Maritime Quay Rd. Total walk time 13 mins and 0.7miles

In the Greenwich Foot Tunnel lifts usually operate Monday to Saturday 7am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.

NB: Currently the lift at Greenwich South (Cutty Sark Gardens/South End) is currently out of operation due to a mechanical failure.

If a lift is out of order you will be required to walk up or down about 100 stairs.

The Greenwich Tunnel provides a pedestrian link between Cutty Sark Gardens and Island Gardens, Tower Hamlets.

ALTERNATIVE: For pedestrians (not cyclists) is the DLR (Docklands Light Rail).

DLR Operating Times:

5.30am to 12:30am Mon to Sat

7.30am to 11.30pm Sunday

North side station: Island Gardens

South side station: Cuty Sark

Timetable Link

Single One Way (Zone 2) Cost £1.30 with Oyster Card or £3.50 using Cash

Blackwall Tunnel and Rotherhithe Closure Calendar

2010-07-19T21:48:00.006+01:00

Due to the ever complicated Blackwall Tunnel and Rotherhithe Tunnel closure information we have created a live calendar that allows you to plan your future travel arrangements.

(This replaces the old Blackwall Tunnel closure chart)

** ALWAYS CHECK http://www.londontraffic.org for any last minute changes **

To see full closure details click on the event within the calendar.

Blackwall Tunnel Web Calendar Link Here

Blackwall Tunnel ICAL File Here

Rotherhithe Tunnel Web Calendar Link Here

Rotherhithe Tunnel ICAL File Here

** ALWAYS CHECK http://www.londontraffic.org for any last minute changes **

Blackwall Tunnel Closed to Southbound 16-19th July

2010-07-15T13:25:00.002+01:00

Blackwall Tunnel closed to southbound traffic this weekend

· Drivers advised to avoid the area if at all possible

· Southbound traffic to be diverted from 21.00 Friday to 05.00 Monday on 16-19 July

· Rotherhithe Tunnel to be southbound only during closures to provide additional southbound capacity. * USE BOTH LANES *

The Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to southbound traffic this weekend as part of the ongoing refurbishment and safety upgrade of the 113 year old tunnel. This will allow Transport for London’s (TfL’s) contractor, BAM Nuttall, to carry out vital improvement works to the tunnel that can’t be carried out during the weeknight closure programme.

During the weekend closure, the Rotherhithe Tunnel will be converted to only carry southbound traffic across the weekend, while the Blackwall Tunnel will only carry northbound traffic. Drivers who would usually use the Rotherhithe or Blackwall Tunnel will also be able to use alternative river crossings such as Tower Bridge, the Woolwich Ferry or the Dartford Crossing to complete their journey.

The Woolwich Ferry will run additional services between 06.10 - 22.00 on Saturday and 09.00 - 21.30 on Sunday to help reduce congestion and provide an alternative river crossing during the closures.

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer for London Streets, TfL, said: “We apologise for the inconvenience this weekend closure may cause while these essential works are being carried out. Our contractor will be working 24 hours a day to ensure that these works are completed as soon as possible.

“We are endeavouring to provide a better balance between northbound and southbound traffic by making the Rotherhithe Tunnel operate two southbound lanes while the Blackwall Tunnel is closed. However, given the levels of traffic congestion experienced during the last two weekend closures, we do advise drivers to avoid the area during this weekend if at all possible.”

TfL expects to need up to 10 weekend closures during the three year Blackwall Tunnel refurbishment programme. The remaining dates will be announced in advance of the closures as work progresses.

Work on the refurbishment will be completed by December 2012. For more information, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/blackwalltunnelrefurbishment.

Blackwall Tunnel July Weekend Closure Starts Today

2010-07-09T15:22:00.006+01:00

The next two weekend closures of the Blackwall Tunnel will occur on 9 – 12 July and 16 - 19 July, with traffic diverted from 21:00 on Friday until 05:00 on the Monday.

Heavy traffic expected in the East London area as a heat wave of a weekend begins.

* Blackwall Tunnel will be OPEN for Northbound Traffic Only (closed Southbound) over the weekend.

* Rotherhithe Tunnel will be OPEN for Southbound Traffic Only (closed Northbound) over the weekend.

So heading North take the Blackwall Tunnel and if you are heading South take Rotherhithe Tunnel.

Tower Bridge will be OPEN.

Woolwich Ferry will be RUNNING until 8.30pm on Friday, 10pm on Saturday and 9.30pm on Sunday.

Dartford Crossing will be OPEN and stops charging a toll of £1.50 for cars after 10pm until 6am.

We hope TfL have checked that all roadworks have ceased on the A200 South of Rotherhithe Tunnel.

Let us know how your weekend travels went and check out the revised http://www.londontraffic.org website with iPhone Web App!

Blackwall Tunnel Operations Manager Job Position Available

2010-07-07T23:14:00.004+01:00

Think you can manage the Blackwall Tunnel?

Enterprise Mouchel (TfL Contractor) is looking for a new Tunnel Operations Manager.

Now what did I do with my NRSWA qualification...

TUNNEL OPERATIONS MANAGER

Location:	Blackwall, East London (E14)
Salary:	Excellent Salary and Benefits
Company:	Management Recruitment Group
Job type:	Permanent
Date posted:	07/07/2010 17:33:14

Description:	EnterpriseMouchel is a dynamic, integrated highways management service provider, responsible for the management of real time network operations. Their customers are central, regional and local government and more specifically the Highways Agency and Transport for London. They are currently recruiting a Tunnel Operations Manager to manage all aspects of both planned and reactive maintenance, and the maintenance of traffic flow at The Blackwall Tunnel and to oversee the winter maintenance activities at the Rotherhithe Tunnel. Key Accountabilities: ·Manage Tunnels Maintenance in accordance with Annex. H. ·Client Liaison ·Manage H&S at work ·Manage Maintenance Staff and workforce ·Produce Maintenance Program ·Manage Maintenance Budget, both LS and RM’s ·Manage the Supply chain ·Carry out inspections/reports/Audits ·Manage Environmental issues ·Manage the Tunnels Fleet and Plant ·Manage Quality assurance in the tunnels, in accordance with Company procedures ·Liaison with stakeholders, Police, Client, local boroughs and emergency services. Typical Skills/Experience ·Good knowledge of Highway Maintenance, and experience of Tunnel procedures and processes ·Mechanical and/or Electrical background and qualification ·NRSWA qualified ·Commercially aware ·Strong leadership qualities ·Good Organisational and Communications Skills People Responsibility:5 Staff and 20 Operatives. EnterpriseMouchel are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sectors of the community.

Reference:	CareerStructure/WSC/1939

http://www.careerstructure.com/JobSeeking/TUNNEL-OPERATIONS-MANAGER_job47914604

Rotherhithe Tunnel to be made southbound only during forthcoming Blackwall Tunnel weekend closures

2010-06-29T12:05:00.002+01:00

• Change to tunnel operation will ease pressure at Blackwall by providing additional capacity for drivers travelling south

• Vital improvement work on 113 year-old Blackwall Tunnel must be carried out at weekends

Transport for London (TfL) is planning to switch the Rotherhithe Tunnel to operate two lanes of southbound traffic during the next planned weekend closures of the southbound Blackwall Tunnel. This change will help increase the amount of traffic that will be able to travel southbound across the weekend and reduce disruption to road users.

During the last weekend closure of the southbound Blackwall Tunnel (4-7 June), many parts of east London experienced severe traffic congestion. The main cause was the volume attempting to head south of the river via the Rotherhithe Tunnel. Due to the tunnel only having one lane southbound, this led to delays and frustration for drivers.

In light of this, TfL is proposing to convert the Rotherhithe Tunnel to operate southbound only during the closure. This will allow TfL to increase the capacity available to southbound traffic and reduce the amount of disruption that these works will cause. Northbound drivers, who would usually use the Rotherhithe Tunnel, will still be able to use the Blackwall Tunnel (which has two northbound lanes open) during these weekend closures, as well as alternative river crossings such as Tower Bridge or the Dartford Crossing.

The next two weekend closures of the Blackwall Tunnel will occur on 9 – 12 July and 16 - 19 July, with traffic diverted from 21:00 on Friday until 05:00 on the Monday. These will be the second and third of five planned weekend closures for the tunnel this year which are needed to complete essential improvement works to bring the Northbound tunnel up to modern safety standards. Future closures will take place on 10-13 September and 1-4 October.

Variable Messaging Signs will be located on key approach roads to both Blackwall Tunnel and Rotherhithe Tunnel to divert traffic to an appropriate river crossing. The Woolwich Ferry will also run additional services across the weekend to help reduce congestion and provide an alternative river crossing.

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer for Streets, TfL, said: “By making the Rotherhithe Tunnel operate two lanes southbound during the weekend closure of the Blackwall Tunnel, we can increase the capacity of the diversion route by up to 600 vehicles an hour. This will make a massive difference to any drivers who wish to cross the river during this weekend.

“However, I appreciate that there will still be a level of disruption during these weekend closures and therefore urge drivers to plan ahead and avoid the area if at all possible.”

TfL expects to need up to 10 weekend closures during the three year refurbishment programme. The remaining five closures will take place in 2011 and 2012, and dates will be announced in advance of these closures as work progresses.

Work on the refurbishment will be completed by December 2012. For more information, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/blackwalltunnelrefurbishment

* The Rotherhithe Tunnel will continue to operate two-way traffic during the ongoing overnight closures of the Blackwall Tunnel.

* During the Blackwall Tunnel weekend closures, the regular Friday night maintenance closure of the Rotherhithe Tunnel will be suspended to allow traffic to use the tunnel as an alternative river crossing.

* While the refurbishment works are carried out, northbound traffic is diverted through the southbound tunnel. Because the diversion involves chicanes, a 20mph speed limit is put in place each night and enforced by average speed cameras. Southbound traffic uses other river crossings.

* There is no toll for using the Dartford - Thurrock river crossing between 22:00 and 06:00

* TfL recently extended the operating hours of the Woolwich Ferry from 20.00 to 22.00, Monday to Thursday to help provide an additional river crossing during the refurbishment programme.

Blackwall Tunnel - Weekend Closure - Traffic Hell

2010-06-05T18:40:00.003+01:00

What a day! 2hr 05 min from the O2 to Canary Wharf and 2hr 50min from Canary Wharf back to the O2. That's nearly 5hrs of sitting in the worst congestion I have seen in a long time.

Due to the fact you can't turn off to the A13 when going Northbound added significant strain on the traffic heading from Bow back down the A12 to A13.

When returning Southbound I found the Rotherhithe Tunnel was absolutely jammed all the way down the A13 with the police telling cars to use the Dartford Crossing instead.

Next stop was the Woolwich Ferry - Well I was shocked to see a tailback of at least a mile. I entered the ferry loading zone from a side entrance and a taxi driver told me he had been there for over 2hrs waiting to board.

My last option was the Dartford Crossing. Once again the A13 was very slow moving Eastbound and it took at least 1hr to actually get to the M25 which was almost at a standstill. After having to turn my car upside down for loose change I found £1.50 to pay the rip off toll charge and the last stretch up the A2 was flowing normally.

All I can say is that TfL needs stop saying they are thinking about building a new crossing and actually do something about it. I want them to give us a date and in the mean time open up contra-flow to ease this traffic hell!

Looking forward to the next Blackwall Tunnel Weekend Closure!

Update: We also noticed a significant risk when traffic heading Northbound (on the South Side) crosses over from one road to the other before entering the tunnel. Drivers are confused about the road markings and from the vantage point of the overhead bridge noticed quite a few near misses. TfL needs to either make better lane markings or merge down to one lane before allowing the cars to change over as per the original road design. After this they need to increase the speed to 30mph through the tunnel if they have no plans to open up the A13 exit route.

Blackwall Tunnel Closures - My Personal Experience

2010-06-03T15:17:00.001+01:00

It seems that no matter how much effort was put into meeting with TfL about the Blackwall Tunnel closures and the contra-flow very little was achieved.

TfL are ridged in their ideas and still fail to understand the public. They did put effort in to have an open meeting which was well presented but did not produce much feedback due to bad timing.

It seems they don't understand that although people have a lot to complain about - they already know that they will not be heard and it is a waste of time in their eyes.

The evidence is clear when you look at how many people signed the No.10.gov petition for a new river crossing and the response was about a different location. A clear sign they did not even read the petition let alone actually do anything about it. 'We are looking into it' - is the most common response for 10 years now and we are no further along the road. The money that was allocated to the project has since vanished.

I know we need the Northbound upgrades as the tunnel is in poor state and although 'deemed' safe to use at the moment I actually have my doubts. I have asked the question about emergency escape plans and the answer is simple - there isn't one. If the tunnel floods there is no escape exits inside the tunnel and when the water level rises above a certain level the flood gates at either end of the tunnel drop down and trap anyone that is inside the tunnel. Even with the new safety enhancements which plan on using the ventilation shaft access doors as emergency exits - it can only be unlocked from the outside. So in the event of a catastrophic fire, floor or explosion you have to wait patiently for about 5 minutes until someone comes to open the exit from the other side!

There are a few issues surrounding the overnight and weekend closures that are annoying. For one is that fact that you cannot turn left onto the A13 when going Northbound during the closure. This is an unnecessary safety implementation and is no different to cars turning left at the same point when the tunnel is under normal operation. The argument may be that they don't want cars turning left from the right lane but that is what happens normally anyway. So why reduce the speed to 20mph during closures if you are not even going to allow turning or contra-flow? Using the Southbound tunnel in reverse does not warrant such a slow speed. I have personally seen many near misses due to cars trying to exit to the A13 and discovering at the last second there are red cones blocking the road!

It should also be made clear that you have to drive all the way to Bow in order to turn around.

TfL said it would cost £13 million in order to implement a contra-flow system. They have no plans to do this and instead would rather see the public pick up the tab.

I have since kept a log of my travel costs and this is what I have found for my daily journey from Shooters Hill Road to the Excel Exhibition Centre:

A normal day normally takes me 24 minutes for a 9.6 mile return trip at 32mpg and a cost of £1.65 (diesel@1.21/litre | fuel-economy.co.uk/calc.shtml)

With a night time (and now weekend) closures this now takes me 1 hour 14 minutes for a 16.7 mile journey at 24mpg and costing £3.83. (Northbound via Blackwall | Southbound via Rotherhithe)

This takes me 3 times longer to drive and costs 2.3 times as much! I use the tunnel twice a day almost every day of the week.

So over 3 years with one journey per day via the diversion this will cost me in the region of £2289 additionally - provided fuel costs remain the same.

Although the average driver might only get diverted one or twice a week this would amount to an average cost of £453 per car. How many cars use the tunnel again?

Rest assured the cost to us personally will outstrip the cost of the £13 million for contra-flow.

One small gesture by TfL was to extent the operating time of the Woolwich Ferry to 10pm. Nice idea but it doesn't work because if you miss the tunnel at around 9.15pm - your great idea of going by ferry is hampered by others who are trying to make the last ferry and by the time you get there the last ship has sailed. You now have an even longer journey to get back to the Rotherhithe tunnel.

The major impact it has on my life is the time it takes - I now have to spend another 850 hours in my car which is equal to 106 working days - its amazing how it all adds up!

Blackwall Tunnel to close to southbound traffic for five weekends this year, as vital safety upgrade continues

2010-05-13T14:19:00.004+01:00

· Closures will take place between 21.00 on Fridays to 05.00 on Mondays on 4 - 7 June, 9 - 12 July, 16 - 19 July, 10 - 13 September and 1 - 4 October

· Weekends chosen to minimise disruption by avoiding Jubilee line closures and local major events

· TfL to hold public meetings on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 May to discuss vital improvement works and weekend closure programme

Transport for London (TfL) will carry out five weekend closures of the northbound Blackwall Tunnel this year as part of the ongoing refurbishment and safety upgrade of the 113 year old Tunnel. These will allow its contractor, BAM Nuttall, to carry out vital improvement works to the ventilation shafts that can’t be carried out during the weeknight closure programme.

The additional closures, which have been agreed following discussions with key stakeholders including surrounding boroughs, user groups and key local businesses, have been timed to avoid weekend closures of the Jubilee Line and major events in the area. As with the weeknight closure programme, northbound traffic will be diverted through the southbound tunnel while the northbound tunnel is closed. Southbound traffic will be required to find alternative routes to cross the River Thames.

TfL expects to carry out a total of 10 weekend closures during the three year refurbishment programme. The remaining five closures will take place in 2011 and 2012, and dates will be announced in advance of these closures as work progresses.

TfL is holding two public meetings this weekend to discuss the reasons for the weekend and weeknight closure programmes, and the vital safety improvement work which is being carried out on the Victorian-era northbound Blackwall Tunnel. The meetings will take place on:

· Friday 14 May 2010, 18.00 to 19.30 – at the East Wintergarden, Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14 5AB (Nearest Tube: Canary Wharf)

· Saturday 15 May 2010, 12.00 to 13.30 – Screen 2, Vue Cinema at the O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX (Nearest Tube: North Greenwich)

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer for Streets, TfL, said:

“The refurbishment and safety upgrade of the 113 year old Blackwall Tunnel is vitally important for its continued safe operation. We apologise for any inconvenience these weekend closures may cause and are doing all we can to minimise disruption whilst these works are being carried out.

“We will be holding two public meetings this Friday evening and Saturday afternoon to discuss the safety upgrade work and weekend closures programme. I would like to encourage anyone interested in or affected by the closures to come along and talk to us about the work we’re doing on the tunnel.”

Work on the refurbishment will be completed by December 2012. For more information, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/blackwalltunnelrefurbishment.

TfL agreed the dates for the weekend closures following discussion with a number of key stakeholders including surrounding local boroughs, Canary Wharf Group, The O2 and Connect Plus.
During the Blackwall Tunnel weekend closures, the regular Friday night maintenance closure of the Rotherhithe Tunnel will be suspended to allow traffic to use the tunnel as an alternative river crossing.
TfL recently extended the operating hours of the Woolwich Ferry from 20.00 to 22.00, Monday to Thursday to help provide an additional river crossing during the refurbishment programme.

Public invited to find out more about the Blackwall Tunnel refurbishment programme

2010-05-10T16:25:00.003+01:00

Transport for London (TfL) will hold public meetings at the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf on Friday 14 May and at the O2 in Greenwich on Saturday 15 May, to discuss the safety improvement work which is being carried out on the northbound Blackwall Tunnel.

At the meetings, TfL staff will discuss plans for a number of future weekend closures of the northbound tunnel and will answer any questions from the public about the refurbishment programme.

The weekend closures are needed to carry out works which cannot be completed either safely or practically during the regular overnight closure programme. TfL is currently discussing dates with local boroughs and stakeholders and will announce when the weekend closures will occur once these have been agreed.

TfL’s contractors will use the first set of weekend closures to start work on upgrading the Blackwall Tunnel’s ventilation shafts – which will allow smoke from vehicle fires to be removed from the tunnel more quickly and effectively. In addition, sections of the tunnel’s walls will be relined with concrete, which will make it easier to repair in future.

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer for London Streets at TfL, said: “The northbound Blackwall Tunnel refurbishment works are vital to ensure the continued safe use of the tunnel for years to come. We are holding public meetings to discuss the safety upgrade work and weekend closures programme, and I would like to encourage anyone interested or affected by the closures to come along and talk to us about the work we’re doing on the tunnel.”

The refurbishment will improve safety and maintenance, ensuring the efficient running of the tunnel for years to come. New fire and incident detection systems, new lighting, a new CCTV camera system and better access for emergency services will be installed as part of the modernisation works and safety improvements in the tunnel, which carries 50,000 vehicles a day.

Work on the refurbishment will be completed by December 2012. For more information about the scheme, please visit www.tfl.gov.uk/blackwalltunnelrefurbishment

o Friday 14 May 2010, 18:00 to 19.30 - The East Wintergarden, Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AB (Nearest Tube: Canary Wharf)

o Saturday 15 May 2010, 12:00 to 13:30 – Vue Cinema at the O2, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX (Nearest Tube: North Greenwich)

Blackwall Tunnel Protest - Drivers Hoot with Thumbs Up

2010-04-21T17:49:00.007+01:00

Today saw the first protest by residents who are fed up with the lack of consideration for residents living South of the Blackwall Tunnel during decision making process to close the Southbound route in favour of the O2 who requested Northbound remain open for the next 3 years.

With many cars hooting in support of their placards. The message to TfL was made clear. A new tunnel and implementation of overnight contra-flow with no financial, legal and safety excuses this time. From research it has shown that the tunnel exhibits an extremely good safety record and with the average speed camera system in place there are few reasons to deny it.

The government has known about the urgent need to build additional river crossing for at least 10 years and has done little to get things underway. An amount of £351 million was set aside for the project that was eventually scrapped. Now residents and business in the South East suffer greatly due to the incompetence of the key decision makers. Financial excuses are now merely a delay tactic in the eyes of the people who are affected by the horrendous traffic on a daily basis.

Residents feel that even if they get their message across greater powers are fixed in their ways and will always find excuses to manipulate the situation in their favour. A public voting system should be put in place to allow people to actually overturn or make decisions in cases like this. The No10.gov petitions system does not seem to work well enough and recently has shown that they don't even bother to even read petitions correctly while writing their award winning responses.

Blackwall Tunnel Protest Group Demonstration Set For 21st April

2010-04-19T10:40:00.001+01:00

This coming Wednesday the 21st of April 2010 will see a peaceful demonstration made by the Blackwall Tunnel Facebook Group who feel that it is unfair to block traffic going Southbound during the overnight refurbishment period of the Northbound tunnel which is set to continue for the next 3 years.

They are asking TfL to reconsider the reinstatement of contra-flow during the overnight closure which takes place every week night from 9pm. The Southbound tunnel was originally built to support contra-flow and with modern average speed cameras in place there should be no reason to disallow bi-directional traffic. TfL have said that even with the new 20mph speed limit in place, the risk from HGV (Trucks) travelling in the opposite direction to other vehicles is too great. It has been estimated by TfL that it would cost in the region of £13 million to restrict the access of wide vehicles during the overnight works.

The protest group would also like to know why there has been continued delay in building a new river crossings when £351 million was assigned to the project that was never undertaken. Silvertown Link (tunnel) and Thames Gateway Bridge are two crossing that should have been started years ago. "We need them to start tomorrow".

Summary of concerns:

Implementation of overnight contra-flow
Urgent start to the building of a new tunnel crossing
Additional Woolwich ferry boats
Free parking near North Greenwich tube station to reduce traffic flow
A clean-up of excessive roadside stones and debris in London

The protest will start at 4pm and will not impact traffic flow in the area.

Link: Blackwall Tunnel Protest Group

Greenwich & Woolwich Foot Tunnel Closures - Blackwall Tunnel News 12/04/2010

2010-04-12T09:37:00.004+01:00

** IMPORTANT UPDATE FOLLOW LINK HERE **

As if by a cruel twist of fate for the South East there will be closures to both Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels from the 19th of April 2010 until March 2011. With the Greenwich foot closing from 9pm this will coinciding with the Blackwall Tunnel closures.

** IMPORTANT UPDATE FOLLOW LINK HERE **

Greenwich Council is today confirming the arrangements that will ensure pedestrians and cyclists can continue to cross the Thames while an £11.5 million investment programme gets under way to renew the Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels.

The arrangements include alternative crossings that will be available during those periods of the refurbishment project that require the tunnels to close for safety reasons.

Both tunnels will remain fully open during the weekends.

** IMPORTANT UPDATE FOLLOW LINK HERE **
Woolwich Foot Tunnel arrangements
In the case of the Woolwich tunnel, closures will only take place during the daytime:

closures start 19 April 2010
Monday to Friday
6.30am to 8pm.
This ensures that pedestrians and cyclists can use the Woolwich Free Ferry as an alternative crossing.

** IMPORTANT UPDATE FOLLOW LINK HERE **

Greenwich Foot Tunnel arrangements
At Greenwich, feedback from local groups confirmed that the most convenient time to carry out any tunnel closures would be during the night, on weekdays only:

closures start 19 April 2010
Monday to Friday
9pm to 6am.
A Thames Clipper service is available until 1am, offering a crossing for pedestrians and cyclists between Masthouse Terrace Pier in the Isle of Dogs and Greenwich Pier in Cutty Sark Gardens.

Advance notice
The repair programme has been planned following consultation with business organisations, cyclists groups and other local groups, in order to ensure a minimum of inconvenience to tunnel users and to residents and businesses on both sides of the river.

Tunnel users will have clear advance notice of any closures so that they can plan their journey accordingly.

** IMPORTANT UPDATE FOLLOW LINK HERE **

The closures are set to continue for six months and will then be reviewed depending on progress with the work. The works are due to be completed by March 2011.

Life extension
The tunnels are currently used by 1.5 million people a year. Greenwich Council secured the investment from the Government to improve conditions for tunnel users. The improvement works include:

- installing new lifts
- refurbishing all stairways
- improving security with new CCTV and help buttons
- installing new lighting and drainage
- structural repairs
- information signs.
** IMPORTANT UPDATE FOLLOW LINK HERE **

Tunnel Half Closure During Olympics - Blackwall Tunnel News 10/04/2010

2010-04-10T11:25:00.003+01:00

In an article published by Energy Saving Trust it states that Mr Bacon from the Conservative London assembly is quite concerned that they will close one lane in each direction inside the Blackwall Tunnel during the 2012 Olympics.

However in a meeting with TfL last month I discussed this important topic and they assured me that they will not be closing any lanes in the Blackwall Tunnel during this time.

So rest assured TfL do understand that the tunnel is already at maximum capacity and by closing a lane would spell disaster for the South East.

Olympics traffic plan criticised
10 April 2010
The Olympic Delivery Authority has put forward plans to cordon off half of Blackwall Tunnel in London during the 2012 competition.

Regular users would be reduced to using one lane on either side of the tunnel, while the remaining two lanes would be reserved for Olympic vehicles alone.

But Gareth Bacon, Conservative London assembly member, has criticised the plans as "absolutely scandalous".

"Londoners would end up sitting in traffic jams for hours, crippling large swathes of east and south London," he added.

If Mr Bacon's concerns prove to be true, then fuel wasted by cars waiting in traffic jams in the tunnel could increase vehicle carbon emissions in the area.

A report published last month (March), revealed that not only was air pollution caused by traffic damaging to the environment, but it could also be directly shortening people's lives.

The parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee's report found that air pollution could be contributing to as many as 50,000 deaths a year in the UK.

Posted by Emily Thomas

Ref: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Resources/Energy-saving-news/Travel-Planning-Infrastructure/Olympics-traffic-plan-criticised/(energysavingtrust)/605453

Lord Adonis Angry Over Tunnel Traffic - Blackwall Tunnel News 14/03/2010

2010-03-14T11:56:00.004Z

“My blood did boil,” he said. Now he wants to end what he calls the “typical British patch and mend” approach to the road and rail network, saying a bolder approach is needed.

“It is part of the British disease not to plan properly for the long term,” said Adonis, admitting his own department must shoulder some of the blame. “It’s partly because of a short-termist vision in the transport department and partly a function of our planning system that makes it difficult to progress nationally significant infrastructure projects.”

Speaking to The Sunday Times after unveiling plans for a £30 billion high-speed rail link last week, Adonis said “incremental” improvements to road and rail were often more costly in the long run than radical projects.

He had plenty of time to reflect on the limitations of Britain’s Victorian transport system when he was stuck outside the Blackwall tunnel in east London for five hours during the winter. Information display screens on the approach had failed to warn motorists that the road ahead was closed because of an accident.

“If advice had been given to motorists, then the five hours that I spent in a car park by the Blackwall tunnel would have been avoided and thousands of motorists would have got their weekend back,” he said, lips pursed at the memory.

While his children bickered in the back, Adonis made a number of angry calls to the Highways Agency to establish who was responsible.

He said the episode was a “classic example” of the failure by traffic authorities to communicate better: “I expressed very strong views about the absence of information to motorists. We need to do far better at providing information to motorists than we do at the moment.”

The full story available on the following link:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7061159.ece

BlackwallTunnel.com becomes LondonTraffic.org - Blackwall Tunnel News 11/03/2010

2010-03-11T17:32:00.000Z

In recent months the Blackwalltunnel.com website has been very popular and many people have requested more information on popular traffic hot spots.

We have listened to your requests and created www.londontraffic.org

The new website contains all the same information you are familiar with and we hope that updating your bookmarks will be quick and easy.

If you are having any difficulties please let us know and we will resolve them quickly.

Local residents meeting over Tunnel Closure - Blackwall Tunnel News 24/02/2010

2010-02-24T13:44:00.012Z

A few weeks has passed since the implementation of Blackwall Tunnel night time closures and local residents now say they have "had enough of it".

After numerous requests to Mr Boris Johnson's office for a meeting to discuss the public viewpoint on the matter and for a serious look at our options. The office of the mayor could not be bothered to reply. A clear indication of their concern over public input.

On Sunday the 28th Feb 2010 at 6:30pm there will be a public meeting (open to anyone) to address the 3 year tunnel closure and the contraflow situation. Held by the Blackwall Tunnel Facebook Group. (facebook link)

Anyone who has a complaint, concern or would like to show their support should attend the meeting at "The Nags Head", 37 Welling High Street, Welling, DA16 1TR (A few miles south of the tunnel and free parking [map]) remember that without your support the tunnel will remain closed.

If you will be attending please send a quick email to doug.harper@ntlworld.com

Doug Harper said "There is little use in complaining unless we all stick together and do something about it".

LBC radio will be talking to Mr Harper at 8.50pm on Thursday the 25th Feb 2010.

Tunnel and Four Bridges Close for Works - Blackwall Tunnel News 17/02/2010

2010-02-17T11:26:00.002Z

Transport for London was under pressure today to explain how permission was given for roadworks to be carried out simultaneously on five Thames crossings.

There is also an overnight ban on southbound traffic using the Blackwall tunnel during a £70million refurbishment that lasts until December 2012, and these restrictions are due to be extended across entire weekends.

All the affected boroughs told the Standard they had notified TfL well in advance of their plans. No borough wanted to go public with criticisms of TfL but one well-placed source said “eyebrows had been raised” at the amount of work being carried out on the river crossings.

Professor Stephen Glaister of the RAC Foundation said: “Routes across the Thames are essential and to have so many crossings inaccessible at the same time is at best poor planning.

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat chairwoman of the London Assembly transport committee, said: “What on earth is going on? Is it too much for different authorities to talk to each other and coordinate works? Once again Londoners will suffer months of disruption and traffic jams.”

A TfL spokesman said: “Though TfL is not responsible for the works currently being carried out on some bridges, through the Thames Crossing Coordination Group we work with all of the boroughs to ensure that any roadworks are planned and carried out with the minimum disruption to road users on major river crossings.

“TfL doesn't have the power to stop borough councils from carrying out work on their bridges, but we can ask that works are carried out at night-time or off peak.” TfL has promised to keep the Rotherhithe Tunnel open when work is carried out on the Blackwall tunnel.

Clips quoted from the London Evening Standard - Full article: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23806810-traffic-hit-by-work-on-thames-tunnel-and-four-bridges-at-the-same-time.do

How Contraflow Ended Secretly - Blackwall Tunnel News 13/02/2010

2010-02-13T11:05:00.005Z

If you read through the following information you will learn about the:

Lack of consultation and meetings that had no evidence of taking place
48hrs termination notice
Low accident rates during contraflow
No viable alternative solutions considered or discussed publicly
How people living in the SE have no alternative
In 2005 a report by Capita brought up issues but nothing was done

What I conclude from this debate is that by installing average speed cameras (which are now operational at 20mph) you would have increased the safety level enough to reinstate contraflow.

Date: 18 April 2007

Blackwall Tunnel Morning Rush Hour Priority Scheme To End – Measure Taken On Safety Grounds

Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police today announced an end to the practice of 'Tidal Flow' traffic in the Blackwall Tunnel to improve safety for motorists.Tidal Flow is the term used to describe traffic operating in opposite directions in the southbound tunnel in morning rush hours. The system has been used since 1978 to cope with the demand of northbound traffic across the Thames.

But an increase in dangerous driving behaviour, including overtaking in the tunnel, has led the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London to bring an end to this system, from Friday 20 April 2007. The Metropolitan Police will review its operation each morning for the remainder of this week. TfL is committed to increasing safety in the tunnel and has recently carried out maintenance work improving fireproofing and radio communications. TfL anticipates there will be some increase in congestion on the south approach to the tunnel as a result of this decision. Changes in traffic flows will be monitored and congestion mitigated wherever possible.

David Brown, Managing Director of Surface Transport at Transport for London, said,"The safe and efficient operation of traffic through the Blackwall Tunnel is our primary concern. The increasing number of 'near misses' in this enclosed environment poses a significant safety risk and endangers lives. This decision has been taken jointly with the Metropolitan Police and is aimed at delivering the highest possible safety standards to London's motorists."

Detective Superintendent Glyn Jones from the Metropolitan Police Service's Traffic Command Unit said, "The Metropolitan Police Service is committed to working together with partners to make London the safest city in the world. This applies not only to issues connected with the fear of crime but equally to the safety of roads users. We have a continuing commitment to reducing injuries and fatalities due to road traffic collisions. Our monitoring of the behaviour of tunnel traffic has led us to the conclusion, agreed with TfL, that the Tidal Flow should cease."

Essential routine maintenance work will continue to be carried out on the northbound tunnel. This will require some contra flow arrangements, where traffic operates in two directions, in the southbound tunnel overnight on Tuesdays during low traffic volume periods. This forms part of the maintenance programme that has also included refurbishment of the southbound tunnel which was completed in December 2005.

Reference: http://www.londontravelwatch.org.uk/document/2757/get

Date: 17th May 2007

In addition the following debate took place in the house of commons [Clipped]:

Bob Neill (Bromley & Chislehurst, Conservative)
I am delighted to have the opportunity to raise this important issue in the House. Perhaps I can briefly set out a little of the background. For 29 years, a contraflow system has operated during the morning peak hour in the Blackwall tunnel. That means that there are three lanes of traffic going northbound from south-east London and Kent into London, and one lane of traffic going south. That sensibly reflects the demands of the traffic at that time of the day. On 20 April, Transport for London, which took over responsibility for the Blackwall tunnel in 2000, with the creation of the Greater London authority, terminated that contraflow operation at something less than 48 hours notice. The effect of that was to reduce the capacity on the principal arterial route from south-east London, Kent and even the channel ports into London by one third at the busiest time of day.

Damian Green (Shadow Minister (Immigration), Home Affairs; Ashford, Conservative)
I can reinforce my hon. Friend's point by saying that constituents of mine who live 40 miles from the Blackwall tunnel are having their businesses seriously damaged by the delays. This is not just a disaster for south-east London; it is a disaster all over Kent. It is particularly hurtful to those people, because they have no chance to choose the Mayor of London, who runs Transport for London. Their lives are being severely damaged and they have no say over the person who is damaging them.

Bob Neill (Bromley & Chislehurst, Conservative)
My hon. Friend makes two important points: first, that the issue goes well beyond the London boundary, which is why I am raising it with the Minister tonight; and secondly, that it is not just a matter of inconvenience for commuters, but does economic harm and harm to business. He also draws attention to the fact that the people who use the Blackwall tunnel at that time of day do not do so for the sake of their health, despite the rather extraordinary comment of a Transport for London official, who said that many of the people using the tunnel could choose to do otherwise. They do it because they have no alternative. That is why the issue is so important.
That importance has been reflected in correspondence and in a number of website petitions. The decision has been condemned by the AA, by the RAC Foundation, by the Association of British Drivers, by London Councils, on behalf of all the London boroughs on a cross-party basis, and by other local authorities.
Two issues arise: first, the justification for the decision itself, and secondly, the complete lack of consultation, debate or any assessment of alternatives. That second point goes to the heart of the lack of accountability of Transport for London to Londoners and their elected representatives.
Ostensibly, the decision is said to have been made on the advice of the Metropolitan police because there had been an increasing number of near misses and there was a road safety hazard. Obviously, that is something that we want to look into, but we have to remember that the scheme has been operating for the better part of 30 years, while volumes of traffic have increased, which is not likely to have happened overnight.

Very little evidence has been released by TFL to justify the decision, and such as there is is, frankly, flimsy. The material that we have so far—getting information out of TFL is like drawing teeth—indicates that there have been 99 accidents in the area of the tunnel over the last three years. I am not aware of any fatalities, or of the seriousness of any of the accidents. When we look further, however, we find that only six of them occurred during the period that the tidal flow is in operation.

That is an average of two a year—hardly a significant figure, given the volume of traffic on that road. It probably compares pretty well with the figures for many of the routes coming into London at that time of day. That is a wholly inadequate evidential basis for taking such a major step.
The evidence raises a number of other questions. There is closed circuit television in the tunnel. TFL relied on evidence of near misses. As the RAC legitimately points out, if some people—a minority of drivers—are driving badly, the first thing that TFL and the police should do is prosecute those people, because they have the footage to do so. We have no evidence of any prosecutions being mounted. It is wrong to use the misbehaviour of a minority to cancel a scheme that benefits the vast law-abiding majority.
In addition, it would have been possible to consider a much more rigorous prosecution policy—to publicise the prosecutions, as has been done successfully for drink-driving and for assaults on TFL staff. Why not consider having a visible police presence at the entry and exit to the tunnel? We could look at installing much more warning signage before and inside the tunnel. We could consider having cameras showing average speeds, which are already installed in the Limehouse link, not far away. All those alternatives should have been considered before this drastic step was taken.

A second point that TFL relied on was guidance under a European directive, but when we examined that we found that it applies to the trans-European network, of which the Blackwall tunnel is not part, so that hardly stacks up either.

As for the complete lack of consultation, it has become apparent that TFL had some concerns about the issue when a report by Capita, its favourite consultant, was submitted in 2005. One might have thought from TFL's justification for the decision that it was a sudden and urgent matter, but in fact it was an issue in 2005. The obvious and responsible thing to do would have been to bring it into the public domain then, so that all those alternatives that I have just listed could have been raised with the local authorities, the Highways Agency, the Department for Transport—and, indeed, the travelling public. We could have had a sensible debate about how to resolve the problem, if there was one. None of that was done.

We have also discovered that on 12 January—the Minister kindly confirmed this for me—TFL discussed with the Highways Agency the potential cessation of the contraflow. It claims that it also discussed it with the London borough of Greenwich, which is where the tunnel comes out, although the people there are by no means the most affected by the decision. In fact, the London borough of Greenwich says it has no record of any such meeting or discussion taking place. Someone is not telling the truth—and my money is on the London borough of Greenwich being right.

There was no consultation, but if TFL was making the proposal in January, why did it not bring the matter into the public domain at that time? Still nothing was done. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Transport for London road traffic board—apparently a private meeting—on 28 March. It was recommended that a communications and consultation strategy be put in place, building up to a closure of the scheme on 30 July. In fact there was no such communication or consultation, and there was an abrupt closure on 30 April. No evidence has been adduced and no reason has ever been given for that change of tack in TFL's handling of the matter.

I regret to say that such behaviour is absolutely typical of Transport for London. It has form—form as long as your arm, to use a lawyer's phrase—in terms of operating in a high-handed fashion, keeping decisions close and within itself, and not consulting partners. Its failure to consult has been criticised by the London assembly, criticised on the Floor of the House during debates on the Greater London Authority Bill, and repeatedly criticised in the press. TFL's behaviour meant that the assembly, which is charged with oversight of London policy, had no opportunity to debate the proposal—a significant strategic matter—in advance. That was wrong. What on earth was Transport for London hiding?

We know that there are likely to be effects on the national road network. There must be a risk of effects on the Dartford crossing, through displacement, and on the new Thames Gateway bridge, which is being considered by the Department for Transport. None of that has been brought into the public domain. That is the second real rub. A decision was taken based on the most dubious and limited evidence, and no attempt was made to take public opinion along or to consult partners. On any view, that cannot be right. Such conduct certainly ignores the guidance issued under the Highways Act 1980 that there should be consultation on such matters.

I know that the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Gillian Merron, does not have direct managerial responsibility for this matter, and I am grateful to her for the assistance that she has given. However, she can put pressure on Transport for London and the Mayor, and can point out that there are implications that go beyond their own little bailiwick, and that other ways of dealing with the matter should be considered. I hope that she will consider whether her Department should contact the Mayor and Transport for London as a matter of urgency, and say that the issue should be reviewed.
Perhaps the Department could say that the contraflow should be reinstated until such time as there has been a proper risk assessment and public debate, all the evidence has been put in the public domain, and all the alternatives have been looked at.
Then we will be able to consider the options in a mature fashion and come to a decision that has some chance of taking the travelling public with it. Unless that is done, it will inevitably be believed that Transport for London has a hidden agenda. It is ironic that only a matter of weeks before, the Mayor had to backtrack on the suggestion of introducing a congestion zone in the Greenwich area around the Blackwall tunnel. It would be in their own interests for TFL and the Mayor to be up-front with people about what is driving the decision.

I know that other hon. Members want to speak, so I shall simply say that I am grateful to have had the opportunity to raise this issue, which affects hundreds of thousands of people in London and the south-east.

Reference: 17 May 2007 @ 5.15pm http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2007-05-17b.866.0

Reference: 17 May 2007 @ 6.05pm http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2007-05-17b.867.0

Additional Reading: BBC Blackwall Tunnel tiday flow system ends after 29 years

LBC vs Boris on Contraflow - Blackwall Tunnel News 12/02/2010

2010-02-12T14:39:00.004Z

This morning Nick Ferrari and Boris Johnson discussed the issues surrounding contraflow operation during the refurbishment of the Blackwall Tunnel.

Nick Ferrari from LBC made the following points:
1: Why doesn't TFL open contraflow for the duration of the tunnel refurbishments.
2: The Rotherhithe tunnel operates under similar conditions.
3: Reduce speed to 20mph and stop HGV access to comply with safety. (Editor: Nick, it is already 20mph at overnight!)
4: Why does it take 3 years to renovate the tunnel when the Empire State building took 18 months to build.
5: A report in April 2006 by TFL - outlined by Nick said:
"Blackwall Tunnel Tidal Flow Report:
8.3 Assessment of tidal flow safety and whether it can be operated.
The accident risk has shown that the proportion of accidents that occur in and around tidal flow operation is not significantly higher than would normally be expected on this type of road with this volume of traffic."

Boris Johnson said the following in response:
1: They are faced with a "legal position" and he will not over rule TFL in case there is a fatality - as they would be liable for corporate manslaughter.
2: Contraflow removal has increased the traffic through the tunnel which was 14000 vehicles over 3hrs and is now 16600. (Editor: Is this meant to show that removal of contraflow is a good thing?)
3: If you reduce the speed limit down to 20mph as suggested would it achieve an increase in flow in tunnel (Nick argues that it is overnight only - so it would not affect daytime traffic)
3: The key statistic is the flow has increased. (Editor: I am not sure this is the key)

Mr Johnson made a deal with Nick Ferrari that if he reviewed the document (Tidal Flow Report) that he would broadcast a show from the Blackwall Tunnel. - "Its a deal" he said.

We would like to make the following points:
1: It seems that the Northbound tunnel is operated below safety standards (hence the refurbishment and problems outlined during the recent fire) - so if there is a fatality would TFL and the Mayor be responsible for corporate manslaughter?
2: If the Rotherhithe tunnel is operating at 20mph with no HGV access and this is safe - then why can't we do exactly the same with the Blackwall Tunnel. If not - how is this logical?
3: Why is that Mr Johnson is unaware that the tunnel operates at 20mph already? So all that is left to make this possible would be to stop HGV access overnight. SIMPLE!

Reference: http://lbc.audioagain.com/player_popup.php?channel_id=90&user_id=0&guid=2010-02/12/01050322f5bbb76e4778d4e1656e0ca9

Alternative Route Closures - Blackwall Tunnel News 10/02/2010

2010-02-10T15:08:00.002Z

We asked TFL to advise us of any planned closures that would impact the alternative routes when the Blackwall Tunnel was closed and they responded with the following statement:

"Aside from any emergency works, there are no current planned closures to London Bridge or Rotherhithe Tunnel while the Blackwall Tunnel refurbishment works are being carried out.

Due to the Blackwall Tunnel refurbishment programme, the weekly maintenance closure of the Rotherhithe tunnel has been moved to 00:00 – 08:00 on Saturday morning to ensure that it does not clash with the refurbishment closures."

In addition we are not aware of any closures to the Dartford Crossing but we will keep everyone updated should there be any changes.

We are aware that there are many closures west of London Bridge and I am quite sure this year will be a trying time for many motorists.

Tunnel Closure Chart - Blackwall Tunnel News 06/02/2010

2010-02-06T22:05:00.012Z

LondonTraffic.org/Blackwalltunnel/ has produced an easy to read closure chart to help those who are still confused over when the tunnel will be open or closed.

*** New revised chart and live calendar available at http://www.londontraffic.org/blackwalltunnel/ ***

*** On the web page scroll down to Closures Information and click Calendar ***

*** New revised chart and live calendar available athttp://www.londontraffic.org/blackwalltunnel/ ***

*** On the web page scroll down to Closures Information and click Calendar ***

TFL statement on Contraflow during Refurbishment - Blackwall Tunnel News 02/02/2010

2010-02-02T12:12:00.005Z

We asked TFL to please comment on the reasons why we cannot implement contraflow or start the refurbishment works later than 9pm during the 3 year Blackwall Tunnel refurbishment works.

This was the official response:

A Transport for London spokesperson said:

In regards to 9pm start time:

“We are doing everything we can to ensure the refurbishment of the tunnel is carried out with the minimum disruption to road users and we ask people to bear with us while these important safety improvements are carried out. But for the refurbishment programme to be completed as quickly as possible, while causing the minimum disruption to road users, work needs to be carried out on the northbound bore between 9pm and 5am, Sunday to Friday.

“If the works were to begin later than 9pm we simply could not carry out as much work each night, meaning that the project would take much longer than the three years currently programmed. That would only increase disruption to road users around the Blackwall Tunnel.

“TfL consulted local boroughs and key stakeholders located near the Blackwall Tunnel about the refurbishment and we believe that the proposed programme of works will allow the refurbishment to be carried out with the least possible disruption to road users.”

In regards to not operating a contra-flow through the Blackwall Tunnel during refurbishment works:

“The vehicle fire in the Blackwall Tunnel on 30 November highlighted that safety in tunnels is absolutely vital and our first priority is always the safety of people using the tunnel.

“Contra-flow creates the risk of a head on collision involving an HGV which increases the risk of a catastrophic fire and the closure of the tunnel for a long time. Because of this, a contra-flow will not be implemented during the refurbishment works.”

“Rotherhithe Tunnel, compared to Blackwall Tunnel, is an extremely narrow tunnel with very sharp bends meaning that only cars and small vans are permitted to use it. Large vans, coaches and HGVs are not permitted to use the Rotherhithe Tunnel at any time.”

In response to the above statement we would like to say:

We agree that delaying the start time would impact the duration of the project but
there is no reason to disallow the contraflow when all that is required is restriction of HGV transit from 9pm to 5am.

This would put the tunnel in line with the same safety standards found at the Rotherhithe tunnel which will suffer an increased traffic flow during the next 3 years.

Public opinion has strongly indicated that this closure and lack of contraflow is not acceptable by 92% of local residence and tunnel users.

A final reconsideration of contraflow is requested on the grounds of HGV restrictions taking place at night to support safety standards.

**UPDATE** TFL responded to our statement:

A Transport for London spokesperson said:

“The Blackwall Tunnel is a significant route for freight deliveries into London. Restricting HGV access would therefore result in freight operators having to find alternative routes through London to complete their deliveries, resulting in increased disruption to those living along these routes. Because of this, TfL will not be restricting HGV access through the Blackwall Tunnel during the refurbishment works. ”

Tunnel Fire - Blackwall Tunnel News 26/01/2010

2010-01-26T16:02:00.006Z

Blackwall Tunnel Fire Report

During the Blackwall Tunnel FIRE on 29th November 2009 the following problems were highlighted by the public:

The SOS phones did not work. 1 was offline and 3+ rang but nobody answered.

No announcements were made over the public address system to reassure people help was on the way.

Panic and confusion set in and the rush of people trying to exit the tunnel initially caused injuries.

There is no mobile phone reception in 90% of the Northbound tunnel which caused further panic.

Although the extraction fans worked well a few people suffered breathing issues and a fireman required treatment for smoke inhalation.

The public needed to pass fire extinguishers to the firemen during the crisis.

Confusion on how to exit the tunnel during the emergency was universal and one possible non emergency exit was padlocked.

If this incident had taken place in the middle of the tunnel the situation could have been much worse.

The ease of major disruption by a simple fire that can be duplicated by terrorists in multiple tunnels is of concern to many and the situation has outlined the urgent need for another crossing.

In addition is there a fire evacuation plan if both exits are on fire? Are there fire escapes inside the tunnel?

We asked Transport for London for an official response to these problems and after a 7 week investigation we received the following feedback but it fails to answer some of our primary questions:

"As background, a vehicle fire caused the Blackwall Tunnel’s northbound bore to be closed on 29 November 2009 at 17:35. The southbound bore was also closed for a period of time, from 17:35 to 21:39, to allow emergency access to the incident.

In accordance with the agreed tunnel evacuation procedures, the Fire Brigade were first to enter the tunnel once the incident had been detected and arrived on site to take full control of the incident within four minutes of notification by our Operational Control Centre. Once on site, the Fire Brigade worked to extinguish the fire whilst safely evacuating the occupants of all trapped vehicles from the tunnel via the southern escape ramp. When it was safe to do so, TfL removed the vehicles; carried out emergency repairs to the road surface; fixed and tested the tunnel’s cameras; repaired the tunnel cladding and tunnel lighting in the subsequent 25 hours, enabling the tunnel to be reopened to the travelling public at 17:48 the following day.

Whilst we understand that events of this nature can be stressful for those involved, there are specific emergency evacuation procedures in place for the tunnel, which is monitored 24 hours a day from the Operational Control Centre. We have worked closely with all principal stakeholders to ensure we have correctly considered, and tested, multi-agency emergency response and incident recovery plans for the entire length of the tunnel and all its approach roads. These proved effective on the day in both managing the incident from our London Streets Tunnels Operational Control Centre and minimising, as far as safely possible, disruption to traffic via our London Streets Traffic Control Centre.

Concerns have been raised about the SOS phones being inoperative; we can confirm that all, bar one, of the emergency phones were in working order when tested seven days before the fire. Furthermore, the situation was found to be the same when tested again after the fire and before the tunnel re-opened on

30 November. Therefore, this leads us to believe that an inundation of calls during the incident meant that our Operational Control Room were unable to field them all.

Radio systems for the emergency services are currently installed in both bores of the tunnel. Further, public radio reception and a public address system has recently been installed in the southbound tunnel and will form part of the northbound Blackwall Tunnel refurbishment works which commence in February 2010.

The refurbishment of the northbound tunnel will see a range of improvements made to key systems throughout the tunnel including improved lighting; communications and ventilation systems; installation of loudspeaker public address and an upgrade of the emergency telephones. The work will also see alterations made to the tunnel shafts to provide better access to and from the tunnel for emergency access and maintenance and provide additional CCTV cameras. These improvements are designed to ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of the tunnel for decades to come.

This incident illustrates how the confined space of a tunnel presents particular risks over and above those on an open road; specifically dangers associated with traffic incidents involving fires and/or toxic spillages. It also reinforces the decision taken by the Police in 2007, and endorsed by TfL, to remove the contra-flow operation in the southbound bore at Blackwall Tunnel.

A serious fire, particularly one involving an HGV, in a tunnel working in two directions, could have much more serious consequences. The intensity of a fire involving an HGV could be up to 20 times greater than that involving a car and the associated smoke and toxic fumes could only be blown in one direction; in a two-way tunnel, that would be over one lane of queuing traffic.

It is important that TfL takes all reasonable steps to ensure the continued safe operation of Blackwall Tunnel and the forthcoming northbound refurbishment scheme will help achieve that."

Results of Petition for New Tunnel - Blackwall Tunnel News 22/01/2010

2010-01-22T13:29:00.004Z

Official Response from last years Petition to No.10 for a new Tunnel/Bridge crossing:

Friday 22 January 2010

Thamescrossing - epetition response

We received a petition asking:

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to build 2 more bridges/tunnels across the Thames between Blackwall Tunnel & Dartford.”
Details of Petition:
“Due to ongoing congestion and constant delays and breakdowns we urge the government to build two more bridges/tunnels across the Thames between Blackwall Tunnel & Dartford.”

· Read the petition
· Petitions homepage

Read the Government’s response

Consideration of additional Thames River Crossings within the Greater London Authority area are the responsibility of the Mayor of London.

The Government is committed to improving the levels of service experienced by users of the Thames River Crossings it has responsibility for, namely the Dartford River Crossing.

The Department for Transport and the Highways Agency are in the process of implementing a package of measures to reduce the number of incidents at the Crossing, which will improve journey times.

The current congestion levels at the Dartford River Crossing are because the volume of traffic that wants to use the Crossing during much of the day exceeds the available capacity.

In February 2008, the Department for Transport commissioned a study to better understand the impacts of current and future demand, and review previous work on improving traffic flow through the existing Dartford Crossing.

This study was published on 20 April 2009 and is available at the following website address:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/capacityrequirements/dartfordrivercrossing/

The study looked at the forecast future performance of the Dartford Crossing given the predicted levels of traffic growth, the impacts of the planned expansion of the Port of Dover and the planned growth in the Thames Gateway. It concluded that without further action, the situation could worsen significantly.

That study proposed further work on two sets of possible measures which may provide additional improvements at the Dartford Crossing. The first set of measures relates to considering whether improvements can be delivered through a re-design of the existing toll plaza, and whether the use of new tolling technologies can provide benefits. The second set of proposals would consider whether the introduction of one-way tolling could provide further operational benefits at the Crossing.

The study also considered major infrastructure options to provide additional capacity in the longer term and produced a high-level assessment of the impacts, and the degree to which they could address the performance of the existing Crossing. Three options were recommended for further investigation: new capacity alongside the existing Dartford Crossing; a new crossing between the Swanscombe Peninsula and the A1089; and a new crossing from the east of Tilbury to the east of Gravesend with a link to the M20.

In April 2009, the Department for Transport announced that they had accepted its findings of the study and have commissioned the further detailed work necessary to assess the suitability, deliverability and impacts of each of the three additional crossing options.

As part of the planned further work the Department for Transport will also be considering various funding options for the existing crossing and any additional capacity in the future, and will provide views from its initial analysis early in 2010.

Olympic Route and Greenwich Park Damage - Blackwall Tunnel News 21/01/2010

2010-01-21T14:03:00.008Z

Keeping in tune with the local community it has come to our attention that a lot of people are still unaware of what is due to take place in Greenwich Park and the events that will affect Blackwall Tunnel traffic flow even further.

The Blackwall Tunnel is designated in the ORN (Olympic Route Network) by the ODA/Dept of Transport and this means that one lane will be allocated for VIP travellers. If this happens the traffic will become so extreme throughout SE London that it is unlikely that you will be able to cross in under an hour or more during peak times. Don't expect the Rotherhithe Tunnel or Woolwich Ferry to be of any help as they will also be very overloaded. If you work on the opposite side of the river you can pretty much give up your job or be forced to move home during this time.

However of equal concern is the fact that they plan on closing and using Greenwich Park for the 2012 Olympics. The equestrian event that will be hosted in the park will cause severe damage to the grass, trees (branch trimming required) and archaeology.
You will also not be able to visit the park for long periods before and after the event as there will be closures during the construction and repair phase.
The park will be turned into a show ground that will require a stadium for 23000 people, toilets, refreshment areas, storage and much more. There will also be digging to lay pipes, power, water and drainage. (2008 Olympics had 311 temporary structures and 41 power generators for this event)
Some people are not aware the park will be used from the 29th July to 4th Sept 2010 for both the Games and the Paralympics.

Just like the tunnel it appears that the consent and needs of the local community is of little value or even consideration to those who make the decisions.

When will we get a government that allows the public a real vote on issues affecting them? The NOGOE committee has raised in excess of 13000 votes to stop the use of the park for this event - what more do they want?

If you would like to know more about stopping Greenwich Park from being used for this event then please visit http://www.nogoe2012.com/

Tunnel Refurbishment List - Blackwall Tunnel News 19/01/2010

2010-01-19T09:24:00.006Z

Full details of the £70 million tunnel refurbishment are as follows:

Date of Tender: 25 July 2008

Deadline: 22 August 2008

UK-London: a102 blackwall tunnel northbound refurbishment.

The refurbishment may comprise of, but may not be limited to the following works:

1: Refurbishment to the 4 No. shaft structures to include emergency intervention stairs, operative lifts

2: New fan installation and noise attenuation;

3: New tunnel lighting system;

4: New tunnel communication system, radio rebroadcast & mobile phone systems, in tunnel emergency telephones and loudspeaker public address system;

5: New traffic control signs within the tunnel and in tunnel VMS signs;

6: Improvement to drainage storage facilities and pumping systems;

7: New fire and incident detection systems and nitrogen foam systems in the drainage sumps;

8: New fire main and hydrants within the tunnel;

9: New escape route signing;

10: New tunnel monitoring system using PTZ and fixed cameras;

11: HV/LV power supply and distribution system

Tunnel 3 Year Works Closure - Blackwall Tunnel News 15/01/2010

2010-01-15T17:29:00.014Z

TFL will be upgrading the safety of the tunnel for 3 YEARS starting on the 7th Feb 2010. This will take place at night from 21:00 to 05:00 Sunday to Friday. During this time the Northbound tunnel will be CLOSED and traffic will be able to travel via the Southbound tunnel in a Northerly direction. All Southbound traffic will be redirected to an alternative crossings. (original article)

This safety upgrade will cost £70 Million pounds and cause massive disruptions to anyone travelling Southbound in the evenings as the Woolwich Ferry will not be operating at this time.

It is our understanding that a new tunnel could have been built for £100+ Million which is a short cry from what is being spent on the CCTV, Fire Detection and other safety upgrades.
Who did the original safety inspection? How was this certified as safe? It is clear it never was.

The original reason for not allowing contraflow was due to the inability to enforce speed limits and restrict access for HGV (Trucks) - a danger of large vehicles passing regular cars in the tunnel. However this is no longer a problem due to the average speed camera system, height restrictions and the time this all takes place.
We are insisting that if this safety upgrade goes ahead it must allow for contraflow otherwise the disruption is not acceptable.

Boris Johnson has now stated that he is considering making the Blackwall Tunnel a TOLL ROAD and using this to fund the building of a new tunnel just East of the current tunnel. This Silvertown tunnel will only be under construction within the next 10 Years. We find this to be insulting to the public who have been asking for this new tunnel for a long time. (original article)
Road Tax and Fuel Tax bring in over 30 Billion Pounds but there is no money to build a new crossing.

When they CLOSE THE TUNNEL (Southbound) AT NIGHT FOR 3 YEARS will this cause you any inconvenience? It won't affect Boris as he doesn't have to go through the tunnel every day! 10 Years for a new tunnel is not acceptable. Do we the public really get a say? Not anymore it seems - Everything these days is for health and safety, terrorism or political/legal reasons...

(Correction: TFL actually issued a tender for the safety upgrades in July 2008 not at the end of 2009 as we originally suspected due to coincidental timing of the fire and other safety issues)

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