Silvertown tunnel’s northern portal above ground as construction underway

The northern entrance to Silvertown tunnel can now be made out as construction continues on the four-lane road tunnel under the Thames.

The site can be seen from the passing DLR on the Woolwich Arsenal branch, with the tunnel mouth now clearly visible alongside work on above ground structures.

One tunnel has already been dug by private consortium Riverlinx, with another set to begin soon.

There have now been calls on TfL to halt construction of the second tunnel by Greenwich Labour Council, though this about turn only happened after years of support and work was already underway.

Despite being long-term supporters, Greenwich Council and the borough’s residents will see few benefits in terms of public transport gains.

Of just two new bus routes planned, one is an express route starting in Grove Park that barely stops in Greenwich borough (see the dashed line in the below image) while another route is an extension of the 129 which currently runs from Lewisham to Greenwich peninsula.

However, upon crossing the Thames the 129 will head east to new build developments rather than Canary Wharf and away from major areas of employment. It offers very little more than taking the DLR or changing to the Jubilee line at North Greenwich already does for the area.

The existing 108 is also mentioned in TfL’s consultation but of course is not a new route. The new fangled public transport benefits mostly fall away for many in the local area and those set to see additional traffic along the A2 and A102.

Major areas  south east London such as Kidbrooke, Eltham and Charlton, which could have benefitted from a direct bus to areas of employment and leisure like Canary Wharf and Stratford, will see no new route through the tunnel.

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