For commercial vehicles, the charging structure will operate from 06:00 to 22:00 daily. Large vans using Auto Pay will be charged £2.50 during off-peak hours and £6.50 during peak times. Heavy goods vehicles face charges of £5.00 during off-peak hours, rising to £10.00 during peak periods (06:00-10:00 northbound and 16:00-19:00 southbound on weekdays).
Operators choosing not to use Auto Pay will consistently pay the higher rate when paying by phone or online – £6.50 for large vans and £10.00 for HGVs, regardless of the time of travel.
Payment must be made by midnight on the third day following the journey. Failure to pay will result in a £180 Penalty Charge Notice, which can be reduced to £90 if paid within two weeks. The tunnels will be free to use between 22:00 and 06:00, and no charges will apply on Christmas Day.
The project aims to reduce congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel and improve journey times during peak periods. Transport for London states that the charging structure has been designed to manage traffic levels across both tunnels while funding the construction and ongoing maintenance of the new infrastructure.
Hauliers and fleet operators are advised to register for Auto Pay to benefit from the lower off-peak rates and automated payment processing.