Results tagged “Blackwall tunnel”

Transport for London has launched an initial public consultation on the proposed new river crossings in east London.

The two proposals, a new vehicle ferry crossing at Gallions Reach and a new road tunnel at Silvertown, could be open by 2017 and 2021 respectively if funding is found and planning permission is granted.

Work on the northbound Blackwall Tunnel has been completed a year ahead of schedule meaning motorists will regain full use of the tunnel from November 11.

The £70million improvements have upgraded lighting, ventilation and safety systems in the 114-year old tunnel to reduce the impact of incidents that lead to hold-ups.

Politicians have been left baffled by a government consultation into easing traffic congestion to the east of London.

The Department for Transport has revealed plans to increase toll charges at the Dartford Crossing, using the extra cash to build another bridge.

An overturned car and a broken down vehicle closed the Blackwall Tunnel northbound this morning (April 14) causing severe delays.

There were long queues for the Woolwich Ferry and Rotherhithe Tunnel as a result of the closure.

Drivers are being reminded that the southbound Blackwall Tunnel will be closed for the whole of the Easter weekend.

The tunnel will shut at 9pm next Thursday and not reopen until 5am on April 26. Southbound traffic will be re-routed to the Rotherhithe Tunnel. Northbound traffic is unaffected, although drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible.

Transport for London has announced it only needs three more weekend closures to complete refurbishment work on the Blackwall Tunnel.

Work has progressed so quickly the project to improve safety on the tunnel will finish in December, a year ahead of schedule.

An accident involving two lorries at Blackwall Tunnel at around 8am is causing two hour tailbacks. The tunnel was closed northbound for 45 minutes to allow for recovery work and fuel spillage clean up. There are now residual tailbacks currently queuing back on the A2 back to Falconwood. A206 Woolwich Road westbound tailbacks are currently to Frances Street. Traffic is also slow moving on Evelyn Street between Greenwich and Surrey Quays. Drivers are advised to use an alternate route where possible.

By Jon Massey

The Wharf's crisp sterility hardly seems the place for ghouls and spirits.

Even though, on dark nights, certain passages can seem curiously deserted, it's difficult to imagine anything more terrifying than an estate security guard going bump.

The Blackwall Tunnel will have its last full weekend of closure to southbound traffic for 2010.

The cross river link will undergo maintenance this Friday at 9pm and reopen on Monday at 5am. Road users can take the Rotherhithe Tunnel, which is only open to southbound traffic, while those going north can still use the Blackwall Tunnel.

The refurbishment of the northbound Blackwall Tunnel should be completed six months early according to Transport for London.

The work, which started last February, was expected to take three years to complete, but should be finished before the start of the 2012 Olympics.

By John Biggs

The East End, and particularly the Isle of Dogs, has seen a massive housing boom in the last 20 years.

While the recent downturn in construction has had an adverse impact, one of its benefits is the opportunity to take stock and see whether we are building the right sorts of homes, in the right numbers.

Hundreds of steaming motorists spent one of the hottest days of the year trapped in their cars as the Blackwall Tunnel closures led to gridlock throughout London and beyond.

Although TfL had attempted to ease the pressure encountered during the last tunnel shutdown - by using the Rotherhithe crossing as a one-way relief route - the plan was hampered by a number of breakdowns.

The Rotherhithe Tunnel will be only open to southbound traffic during the next two weekend closures of the Blackwall Tunnel.

The traffic flow through the Rotherhithe Tunnel will be one way for the next two weekends, July 9-12 and 16-19, to ease congestion in east London.

Britain should be ashamed of the low standard of living in east London, according to a leading architect.

Sir Terry Farrell said it was startling that poverty still existed on the doorstep of one of Europe's most successful financial centres.

Transport for London has announced it will be shutting the southbound section of the Blackwall Tunnel for five weekends to carry out safety works.

The first closure will take place on June 4 to 7, followed by two dates in July. TfL said it had timed the closures to avoid Jubilee line works.

By John Biggs

Albert Einstein said that he enjoyed travelling more than arriving. For people working or living in east London the opposite is often true.

Things do get better - longer DLR trains on the way for example - but often not.

For cross-river connections the year has not started too well.

Transport for London will begin a £70million refurbishment of the Blackwall Tunnel in early February.

The cross-river link - which was the world's longest underwater tunnel when it opened in 1897 - is to be fitted with new safety, lighting and communications systems.

Any problems? Minor delays on the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines but elsewhere the Tube is running smoothly. The DLR and Thames Clippers river service have no reported problems.

No major incidents on the roads but taffic is building on the Blackwall Tunnel Northern Approach.

A collapsed manhole has caused the southbound bore of the Blackwall Tunnel to close.

Diversions are in place but traffic is moving slowly across the area. Long delays are expected. The tunnel closed at 2.40pm when the manhole collapsed at the southbound exit.

It closed in dramatic fashion on Sunday, then re-opened two days earlier than expected.

But does the Blackwall Tunnel's short hiatus highlight the need for extra river crossings in the east?