Drivers turn to ferry to avoid new tunnel tolls

Hundreds of drivers are choosing the Woolwich Ferry over the newly tolled Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, resulting in increased congestion. Since tolls were introduced on April 7, Transport for London (TfL) has recorded an additional 1,800 vehicles using the ferry daily. Commuters have voiced frustrations about long wait times and a surge in lorry traffic on the ferry. Letisha Hyde, a resident of Thamesmead, described the ferry as feeling like a "cargo ship," noting that lorries take up significant space. The £8 daily toll for the tunnels has added financial pressure on many drivers, forcing them to adjust their budgets.

TfL has stated it is closely monitoring the situation as new travel patterns emerge. The combined corridor typically sees around 88,000 vehicles on weekdays, down from 90,000 to 100,000 before the tolls. Despite the congestion, some residents prefer the ferry to the tunnel tolls, asserting that the charges are too high.