The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) and the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) have responded to the Transport for London (TFL) consultation on plans to charge motorcyclists to use the Silvertown and Blackwell tunnels from 2025. TfL are urged to “think again” on flawed plans that fail to take into account the positive impact of motorcycles on London’s pollution and congestion levels.

The BMF and NMC, in a combined response to TfL’s consultation on the proposed Charging Scheme for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, have lodged detailed objections to the proposals to implement charges for motorcycles to use the Tunnels from 2025. Both UK motorcycling organisations have urged TfL to reconsider their proposed strategy and to exempt motorcyclists from the charges.

In launching the Consultation, TfL has said that their “primary purpose” in applying user charges is to “manage traffic demand” and that charges will apply on both tunnels. Additionally, TfL aim to cover the construction and future maintenance costs, whilst reducing pollution and congestion levels. However, the charging proposals set out by TfL, as well as the evidence and rationale underpinning the proposals are, in the opinion of the BMF and NMC, seriously flawed and demonstrate little, if any, analysis or modelling in respect of motorcycling and its positive impacts on pollution levels and traffic congestion; both purportedly key objectives of the Silvertown Tunnel Scheme. As currently framed, the proposed charges are likely to increase congestion levels, with an adverse effect on communities near and around the Tunnels.

“To equate motorcycles with cars, with the same fee charged for both, is completely illogical.”

Motorcycles can play a significant role in reducing overall carbon dioxide emissions in towns and cities, as well as reducing congestion levels; factors which have previously been recognised in both TfL’s and the London Mayor’s wider transport policies and strategies for London, including the Congestion Charging Zone policy. TfL has now discarded
this sensible approach in what appears to be a drive simply to raise revenue to pay for the construction of the Silvertown Tunnel; an approach that is likely to have a detrimental effect on the delivery of the planned safety, traffic management and environmental benefits of the Scheme.

BMF Government Relations Executive Paul Morgan CBE said: “The decision to equate motorcycles with cars, with the same fee charged for both except in peak hours, is completely illogical given the stated aims and objectives of the Scheme. The proposals also run contrary to TfL’s wider transport policies across London, including the Congestion Charging Zone policy for motorcycles and the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy, as well as TfL’s network management duty under the Traffic Management Act 2004. TfL need to think again and allow motorcycles to travel without charge through both tunnels, to encourage their wider use as a means to significantly reduce pollution and congestion levels across London.”

NMC Executive Director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “The NMC urges TfL to reconsider their proposals to charge motorcyclists to use the Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels, to carry out proper modeling and analysis around motorcycle use of the tunnels, and to exempt motorcycles from charges in order to recognise and realise the significant benefits motorcycling offers as an accessible, affordable, cleaner and greener transport option than most other powered modes of transport. Motorcycling should be supported by TfL with concessions applied to encourage their use as part of the development of a greener and more sustainable future transport model for London.”

You can read BMF/NMC’s response to the consultation here

The responses to the public consultation will now be considered with a decision on the final charging model for the two tunnels expected in late 2024 with implementation planned for 2025.

Notes to Editors
1. For further comment from the BMF please contact Paul Morgan CBE on 07739 708242/ paul.morgan@bmf.co.uk
2. For further comment from the NMC please contact Craig Carey-Clinch, on 07979 757484 / craig@uknmc.org

Top image courtesy of TfL