Calls for Greenwich foot tunnel to be taken over by Transport for London
A petition has been launched with calls for Transport for London to take over operation and maintenance of the Greenwich foot tunnel.
Dating from 1902, the tunnel sees frequent break down of lifts at either end requiring the use of 187 steps. It was under the control of London-wide government via the London County Council then the Greater London Council until 1986.
Control then transferred to local boroughs either side in Greenwich and Tower Hamlets with Greenwich in charge of maintenance.
A website was recently created by Greenwich Council showing the “current” status of lifts at either end, though it’s updated sporadically. According to the latest up the south lift was available just three per cent of the time over the past month with the website stating:
“Out of service since 24 September 2025. We’ve ordered the parts and are waiting for a delivery and installation date.”
How it could have worked for three per cent of the time over the last 30 days if out of order for six weeks isn’t entirely clear.
Fixed
Meanwhile the north lift hasn’t worked since 30 June 2025 with the site claiming: “Repair work is finished. Waiting for scaffolding to be removed and then we’ll test the lift before we re-open it.”
That’s bad but not as bad as Woolwich foot tunnel’s north lift which as been out of service from 21 August 2022. Welcome news last week saw Greenwich council state replacement of broken parts will be undertaken in spring 2026.
This petition does not cover the Woolwich foot tunnel, which is split between Greenwich and Newham councils.
Whilst quieter than it’s Greenwich equivalent to the west it will grow in importance as thousands of homes are built in the near vicinity on either side of the river. For those in Woolwich it offers a link to the recently created express bus route SL2 which connects to various parts of east London.
For those in North Woolwich it links to the Elizabeth line, National Rail and numerous shops in Woolwich town centre.
Yet years of extraordinary delays fixing lifts is a key factor in frustration for many users let alone those who will use in future. While councils and TfL often state the importance of walking, healthy living and reduced car use, having extended periods of broken lifts does little to encourage such behaviour.
Greenwich have blamed a lack of communication and funding from boroughs to the north for delays.
Details on the petition can be seen here.
If Tfl take it over, how long before they start charging to use it?
I support the premise but as it doesn’t include Woolwich foot tunnel would not support the motion. Explicitly ignoring the Woolwich situation misses the purpose of tfl taking over infrastructure.
I asked they mayor’s office last year the exact question to take over both crossings and they declined, as well as funding the cable car and river boat whenever the lifts in either tunnels were out of action so I don’t think this will go anywhere. Ideally Greenwich call out the don’t want the job and can’t be arsed so petition tfl to do it anyway. Claim it back in the amount spent on the liz line or something.
The petition includes Woolwich
https://www.change.org/p/lifts-now-it-s-time-for-tfl-to-step-up
What makes sense for the management of Greenwich Foot Tunnel also makes sense for Woolwich Foot Tunnel.
Both tunnels need to be taken over by TfL.
Ball is in TFL’s court on this.
How long before they put a toll on it if TFL manage it? Not even joking.
Maybe it’s time for the Greenwich pedestrian tunnel to be taken over by TfL and to be maintained by TfL including fixing the lift on both sides.
I’ve been calling for this for a long time. The foot tunnel at Greenwich especially is an important commuting corridor. Greenwich council has long blamed both Tower Hamlets and Newham councils (co-owners) for the ongoing debacle at the respective tunnels. According to Greenwich: “financial assistance and support from TfL for works (… will be essential).” Mismanagement of the tunnels has been ongoing for years and I don’t trust any of the councils to manage them properly. The main question is why the GLA / TfL hasn’t acted to resolve this issue already (though apparently getting TfL to take over will “be a lengthy process”). At the same time, TfL reneged (post-Covid) on the long-promised walking and cycling bridge across the river between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf, so can they be trusted? E > SE connections remain poor and all the GLA has given us is the motor-only Silvertown Tunnel.