Louie French MP's latest column in the News Shopper.
Over a century of free crossings at Blackwall Tunnel will end in less than four months.
Motorists will be forced to pay £4 per crossing at peak times, while van drivers will pay up to £6.50. Those reliant on the tunnel who are already hit by Ulez and the Congestion Charge will face daily driving bills of up to £40 to get to work and back.
That’s before you take into account fuel costs and car parking charges.
These are all charges on working people and small businesses, and it’s no wonder people are under pressure. It’s the same old story that Labour politicians cannot understand. Most people living in Bexley rely on their cars to get around.
A tradesperson cannot choose to leave their tools and van at home, and many NHS workers on the night shift need to drive to the hospital.
Mayor Khan doesn’t need to impose a toll on Blackwall Tunnel when the Silvertown Tunnel opens. It was his political choice to sign a PFI contract in 2019 and within his powers to keep the Blackwall crossing free.
Considering the many millions of pounds that motorists are now paying his administration — tens of thousands of people pay the Ulez fee daily — he had options.
But instead, he decided to end a century of free travel at one of East London’s few crossings. We are expected to pay for what West London enjoys for free at many points on the river.
I’m concerned that many drivers will use the Rotherhithe Tunnel or Dartford Crossing instead, creating even more congestion near these locations and in Bexley. There’s currently no charge at Rotherhithe, and the Dartford Charge will be the cheaper option.
I fear that a toll will soon be introduced at Rotherhithe and that the Labour government, looking for easy cash grabs, will increase the charge at Dartford Crossing. They’ll blame congestion, ignoring that their decisions to toll the Blackwall Tunnel and delay the new Lower Thames Crossing will cause the problem.
For these reasons, I objected to Mayor Khan’s latest road charge and launched a petition to stop it. I’m grateful to over 6,000 people who have signed the petition. I also raised the issue in Parliament and will do so again.
If the Government is serious about growth, we must get our economy moving. But that’s impossible when Mayor Khan taxes people as soon as they leave their driveways to go to work and at every junction of their journey.
As the Member of Parliament for Old Bexley, Sidcup and Welling, I’ll always stand up for working people.
