Silvertown Tunnel

[er-minio]

There is, in the protestors’ opinion, a misfit in intent, imagination and implementation on the part of TfL.

This I agree with.
What I would have expected (as someone that cycles in London too) was a separate cycling/service tunnel. But I understand it is a lot to ask.
With the current implementation, I'd rather take the shuttle, for how inconvenient it is, rather than cycling on one of the lanes in the tunnel.

The other issue is the single lane for vehicles, one being reserved to buses. I would have expected way more, but I can imagine (given my ignorance in the matter) that the ground where the tunnel is probably makes it difficult to have larger structures and also, probably, that bus lane is the culmination of some political war after the project started.

I don't mind paying the tunnel fees that much, already used it a couple of times by motorbike and car. But, allegedly, I'm not regular on that route, so not a big impact for me.

Whoever is calling for the new tunnel to be for pushbikes only is delusional.
Yes, we have to reduce traffic in London. No, we will never end up in an utopia where everyone cycles and walks only, we still need infrastructure for powered wheeled transport I'm afraid. And London is particularly bad (current state) at it.

 

[Wapping]

Whoever is calling for the new tunnel to be for pushbikes only is delusional.

I am not sure that that was ever a demand. If it was, file it in the box labled ‘Bonkers’.

 

[er-minio]

The cynic in me sees this a TfL precursor to billing motorcycles and scooters across the network. Hopefully, I’m wrong.

I really don't think you are wrong on this.

 

[er-minio]

If it was, file it in the box labled ‘Bonkers’.

There was chatter about it after it opened but, yes, filed under "Bonkers". Agree.

 

[Wapping]

And London is particularly bad at it.

It’s the street layout * and, to a large extent, because London had no history of bicycling per-se, unlike say Copenhagen, Amsterdam or even Cambridge. That said, the bicycle lanes that have been installed are, now that eight million people have got used to them, a pretty much successful story.


* The biggest folly was the bendy busses.

 

[er-minio]

The biggest folly was the bendy busses

Hahaha – thankfully I wasn't around for those.

My "gripe" is the lack of direct routes out of of the city, especially towards the south/south east. But, as you point out, it's obviously because of the history and organic growth of the city. Really nobody's fault.
At the moment driving from where I am (NW) to the Tunnel takes a significant amount of time, especially if crossing Hackney whose council managed to gridlock the entire area. It can take anything between 2.5 to 4 hours, most of which spent negotiating speed bumps on minor roads. The other option (that I'll start trying next times) is a very lengthy drive around the orbitals.

Have to say, there was significant less traffic at Blackwall when I left earlier this month, thanks to Silvertown.
Let's see what happens when driving back, but I'm hopeful

 

[Wapping]

The other option (that I'll start trying next times) is a very lengthy drive around the orbitals.

I go up to Mill Hill from E1 quite regularly by car.

I can avoid the congestion charge by going via the Holloway Road or via the North Circular or out via the A13, North Circular, M11, M25 and back down the A1. There is often not much in it, between each of them. I simply ask Google, which way is ‘best’ and trundle along. I often also take public transport for the same journey, which can be a bit quicker…. And free!

 

[Wapping]

Hahaha – thankfully I wasn't around for those.

The highlight was when they got stuck and, better still, when some caught fire.

 

[er-minio]

I often also take public transport for the same journey, which can be a bit quicker…. And free!

I know, but I find it a bit complex to convince the bus driver to drive all the way through France at times.
One day...

 

[Wapping]

I know, but I find it a bit complex to convince the bus driver to drive all the way through France at times.
One day...

Learn ‘foreign’, they’ll understand.

 

[LOLGEOFF]

I know, but I find it a bit complex to convince the bus driver to drive all the way through France at times.
One day...

It was much easier in 1915.

London buses during the First World War | London Transport Museum

When the First World War broke out, the era of the horse bus drew to a close. London’s largest bus operator, the London General Omnibus Company (LGOC), had replaced all its horse buses with motor buses by 1912. Learn how London buses played an important role during the First World War.

www.ltmuseum.co.uk

 

[Wapping]

A reasonably interesting piece on the Silvertown Tunnel, from a past issue of the Times:

How the first Thames tunnel in 50 years was built on time

Latest news & breaking headlines

The latest breaking UK, US, world, business and sport news from The Times and The Sunday Times. Go beyond today's headlines with in-depth analysis and comment.

www.thetimes.com

 

[LOLGEOFF]

A reasonably interesting piece on the Silvertown Tunnel, from a past issue of the Times:

How the first Thames tunnel in 50 years was built on time

Latest news & breaking headlines

The latest breaking UK, US, world, business and sport news from The Times and The Sunday Times. Go beyond today's headlines with in-depth analysis and comment.

www.thetimes.com

Interesting and clever, freezing the soft ground between the running tunnels to make the boring of the access links easier.

I wonder if TFL had a major input in the graphics in that report? Although it does show the Rotherhithe Tunnel but it's rule of 2 limits, nothing bigger than 2 tonnes, 2 metres wide or 2 metres high is very restrictive, there is no mention of the nearby Woolwich Free Ferry, although not a 24hr service it is also an important river crossing linking the North and South Circular Roads but still non revenue making.

 

[Steptoe]

No such protest from outraged bikermates, that they are being charged to use the tunnels, when the rest of TfL’s area of control is free for bikermates to ride around in. Likewise, no mass protest about bus lanes. It makes one wonder, quite who has the biggest balls…. The lycra lad bods or the awesome steed merchants?

Sorry, I must have missed you on the many protests we organised when TFL wanted a blanket ban on motorcycles using bus lanes ..
and which was very effective

 

[Kitsilano]

"THAT'S the man, Officer!"

 

[Wapping]

Sorry, I must have missed you on the many protests we organised when TFL wanted a blanket ban on motorcycles using bus lanes ..
and which was very effective

That was some bait I dangled

And since 2017, it’s done what?

The last thing on its Facebook page is 2021, with erroneous outrage over modifications to motorbikes being made illegal. This though does sum it up rather well:





PS I remember Ting Tong (Don’t leave me) Tom, said he would join you but then couldn’t, as he had to stay at work. The revolution….. will have to wait

 

[Wapping]

In the meantime, TfL still haven’t come up with a workable solution to my problem. Letter to Khan follows.

Letter has been dispatched, questioning the bizarre logic of levying the ‘Congestion charge’ on motorcyclists, using the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, when the rest of London is free.

 

[Steptoe]

That was some bait I dangled

And since 2017, it’s done what?

Done what it was set up to do - oppose the blanket ban of bikes in bus lanes, which affected ALL motorcyclists riding in London .
So job done

 

[Wapping]

The nation thanks you for your service

 

[Wapping]

I wrote to TfL, asking them to explain why motorcycles are levied the ‘Congestion charge’ when using the Silvertown / Blackwall tunnels, when it’s free for motorcycles to ride through the rest of London.

They replied: