Okay, technically, “free” means you don’t pay a service charge. But you still pay the tunnel fee itself: £4 for cars, £4.40 for vans, etc. It’s “free” in the same way a “free range” chicken is alive—but you still pay for the eggs. Still, compared to the old phone payment system where a five-minute call cost you £2 extra, this is a bargain.
PHV's Exempt from Silvertown Tunnel Charge? - TFL SERU
One more surprise: the Blackwall Tunnel has only two lanes in each direction and handles over 50,000 vehicles daily. That’s like stuffing a garden hose with a fire truck. But thanks to this free online payment, you can at least avoid the extra headache of a fine. Small victories.
The Bottom Line: You Have No Excuse
So, next time you emerge from that claustrophobic concrete snake, don’t panic. Open your browser. Pay your fee. Laugh at the memory of ancient toll collectors. Free online payment is the unsung hero of London traffic. It won’t make the tunnel wider, but it will keep your wallet fatter.
And remember: if you forget to pay, don’t blame TfL. Blame the delightfully confusing official website. Or better yet, set an alarm labeled “Tunnel Tax: Do It Now.” Your future self—and your bank account—will thank you.
