Transport for London (TfL) has been urged to introduce a flat rate toll system for HGVs at the recently opened Silvertown Tunnel, which currently sees thousands of larger vehicles hit with the highest charges.
It comes after Logistics UK expressed disappointment that tolls for large vans and HGVs remain "significantly higher" than those for small vans and private cars.
The organisation has now urged TfL to implement a flat rate system while offering discounts for zero-emission vehicles, which they argue would align better with the current London Congestion Charge scheme.
The Silvertown Tunnel, opened on April 7 and operates with a new toll fee that applies to both it and the Blackwall Tunnel.
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The tunnel charges HGV drivers £10 during peak times
PA/GETTY
Under the new tunnel charges, large vans face new charges of £6.50 during peak times and £2.50 off-peak, while HGVs are charged a whopping £10 during peak times and £5 off-peak.
Chris Yarsley, Senior Policy Manager for Road Freight Regulation at Logistics UK, stated that while the new tunnel will increase network resilience, the toll structure unfairly impacts delivery vehicles.
He said: "The industry recognises that road charges are necessary to fund new infrastructure, but larger vehicles do not have the options to switch to other modes of transport and essential delivery vehicles have little alternative option but to use the capital's road network."
The organisation has consistently supported the Silvertown Tunnel project since its inception, acknowledging it will play a key part in London's road infrastructure.
However, they argue that commercial vehicles are being disproportionately charged despite having "no viable alternatives" for travelling across the capital.
Logistics UK said it believes the current toll structure results in the industry "paying disproportionately more towards construction costs than private road users".
To combat this, the organisation has suggested the creation of a flat rate system for fleet operators, which would create a more even payment structure while still generating the necessary revenue for TfL.
Offering discounts specifically for zero emission vehicles within this flat rate system would also support London's environmental goals, the group stated.
This approach would mirror the London Congestion Charge scheme, which already offers discounts and exemptions for cleaner vehicles. The proposal comes as fleet operators adjust to the new charges implemented when the tunnel opened last month.
The Silvertown Tunnel was designed to address significant bottlenecks at the Blackwall Tunnel, where users experienced lengthy delays and frequent closures.
According to TfL, the 1.4km road tunnel with dedicated bus lanes aims to reduce congestion and make journey times more predictable.
The daily charge, which applies from 6am until 10pm seven days a week in both directions, was implemented to manage traffic levels and pay for construction and maintenance costs.
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The Silvertown Tunnel hopes to alleviate stress on the Blackwall TunnelTRANSPORT FOR LONDONTfL has previously warned that without the charges, "traffic would increase in both tunnels, causing delays and congestion, which contributes to poorer air quality".
The tunnel project was first proposed in 2012 and approved by the Secretary of State for Transport in 2018.
