Sadiq Khan is set to increase charges on two major tunnels in the capital under new punishing moves impacting thousands of drivers.
Transport for London has unveiled plans to raise tolls at both the Blackwall Tunnel and the Silvertown Tunnel by up to 20p during rush hour, with drivers facing steeper costs to cross the Thames at peak times.
Under the plans, car and small van drivers would pay £4.20 during peak hours, up from the present level of £4.
The charge applies northbound between 6am and 10am and southbound between 4pm and 7pm, while off-peak journeys would rise from £1.50 to £1.55.
Proposals will be discussed by TfL's Finance Committee this week after officials launched a consultation with councils across East and South East London.
The transport authority detailed how the average increase of 4.4 per cent was designed to keep pace with inflation, although this will be alongside a 5.9 per cent rise for Underground fares.
Motorists have been paying the new charge at both tunnels since April 2025, when the £2billion Silvertown Tunnel opened alongside the long-established Blackwall Tunnel crossing.
Blackwall Tunnel had previously been free to use since opening in 1897, before tolls were introduced last year.
The tunnel links Greenwich and Tower Hamlets, carries around 100,000 vehicles a day, and was notorious for severe congestion, delays, and closures.
Sadiq Khan had originally introduced the daily charges at the tunnels to help alleviate pressure at Dartford Crossing
| PA/TFLAccording to TfL, the charges were intended to help manage traffic levels heading towards the Dartford Crossing and help pay for the construction and operation of the new Silvertown tunnel.
Sir Khan said at the time: "Londoners face chronic traffic congestion on the approaches to the Blackwall Tunnel, which was never designed for the levels of traffic now crossing the river in east London.
"TfL's proposed package of concessions, exemptions and discounts will support Londoners in a variety of ways, including those on the lowest incomes, and help local residents take full advantage of the new bus and cycle connections."
The transport body estimated that the increase in charging prices will help generate an additional £ 1.5million during the 2026/27 financial year.
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Drivers could see the Silvertown Tunnel and Blackwall Tunnel increase its fees inline with inflation yearly
| TRANSPORT FOR LONDONFigures released under a Freedom of Information request revealed that TfL collected £20.7million from tunnel tolls between April and August last year, while £19.7million came in from penalty charge notices.
Under the current structure, drivers who fail to pay the tunnel fee can be slapped with a £180 fine, which can be reduced to £90 if paid early.
The planned increases would also affect all vehicle types, with motorbike riders seeing off-peak charges rise from £1.50 to £1.55 and peak charges increase from £2.50 to £2.60.
Large van drivers would pay £2.60 off-peak instead of £2.50, while peak charges would rise from £6.50 to £6.80.
The Silvertown Tunnel officially opened in April after just under five years of construction | PAHeavy goods vehicles would also face charges of £5.25 off-peak and £10.50 during peak periods, up from £5 and £10 respectively.
Drivers who fail to pay would still face a penalty charge of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within two weeks.
The proposed rises come despite evidence that traffic has already increased since the Silvertown Tunnel opened.
According to figures presented to local authority traffic officers earlier this year, traffic passing through the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels was up by eight per cent as congestion eased following the opening of the new crossing.