When Silvertown tunnel is opened in London TfL will be charging a toll on that crossing. They will also begin charging a toll on the Blackwall tunnel (which is currently a free river crossing). TfL’s argument is that if Silvertown is tolled but Blackwall is not then traffic will disproportionately use Blackwall. However, is a toll on Silvertown a valid proposition in the first place?
This analysis is somewhat rudimentary but important. It shows that in Central and West London wealthier citizens can access a plethora of river crossings with no charge whereas, in East London, poorer citizens will need to pay for access to two out of three river crossings. Household income data (by borough) accessed from: https://data.london.gov.uk/blog/gla-household-income-estimates
Boroughs immediately north of free river crossings have a mean annual income of £78,789, immediately south of free river crossings the mean income is £59,160. Boroughs immediately north of toll crossings have a mean income of £39,990, immediately south of toll crossings mean income is £44,370. This difference is stark. Why should the poorest citizens in London have to pay to cross the river when the wealthiest can do so free?
Additionally, the wealthiest people in London have proportionally more crossings available to them within a given distance - i.e. they will typically need to travel a shorter distance to cross the river (and do so for free). Distances are representative, as the crow flies, and based on distances between adjacent north bank entrances to / exits from crossings (distances were measured on Google maps). In the east citizens may need to travel up to 13 km to reach a crossing that they will likely need to pay to use. On average citizens in the east will need to travel 3.9 km compared to 1.5 km for central and west London.
Finally, we should also note that the crossings west of Tower Bridge (up to and including Lambeth Bridge) have an artificial shield to their use by citizens from the east: the Congestion Charging Zone. People from the east won't pay the CC just to access a free river crossing. Whereas residents of the CC zone have to use it implicitly (with a 90% discount).
This analysis excludes the Dartford crossing which is already tolled so its inclusion would only worsen the east/west divide. Although there are historical reasons for the number of free crossings upstream, I see no justifiable reason for imposing a new financial burden on the citizens of the east.
Perhaps TfL / the GLA simply does not have the resources to fund the Silvertown crossing and a toll is inevitable? This does not justify imposing a toll on the people of the poorest boroughs in London on a crossing that is already free. But if it is absolutely necessary to toll the Blackwall then why not toll every crossing in Greater London and spread the burden more fairly?
The Mayor of London has been contacted for comment, his response will be published here.