Transport for London has delivered a brutally comprehensive rebuttal to a driver who attempted to challenge a penalty charge notice for using the Blackwall Tunnel, claiming the fees weren't sufficiently signposted.
The Driver's Complaint
The dispute emerged through a Freedom of Information request submitted to TfL by a motorist who claimed they didn't frequently drive in London. The driver argued they were "following the sat nav and there was a lot of traffic so to be safe I had my eyes on the road and the traffic."
They further stated, "I did not see signs regarding the charge so I would like a reply providing information about the amount of signs there are on the approach and when exiting." The driver essentially claimed there was inadequate signage warning about the tunnel charges.
TfL's Comprehensive Rebuttal
Transport for London responded with what can only be described as a meticulously detailed and scathing defence of their signage system. The transport authority firmly rejected the driver's claims, reminding them that signs clearly indicate it's a charging zone when entering both the Blackwall Tunnel and the Silvertown Tunnel.
TfL's response went even further, emphasising that signs are positioned so far in advance that they allow drivers ample opportunity to take alternative routes if they wish to avoid the charging area. The authority also pointed out that the charging boundaries can be checked in advance on the official TfL website.
Official Statement and Charging Details
In their formal statement, TfL declared: "Motorists are made aware they are about to enter the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels Charging Area because there are regulatory Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels Charging Area entry and exit road traffic signs at the side of the road. There are also signs to provide advanced warning on all approaches to the zone, allowing motorists time to take alternative routes to avoid entering the tunnel charging area."
The Blackwall Tunnel, which connects the A102 on the west sides of the Greenwich Peninsula to the A12 at Poplar, operates charges every day between 6am and 10pm, though it remains open 24 hours daily. Drivers can save £2.50 per journey by selecting the correct payment method.
