Rotherhithe Tunnel Set for Extended Closure Due to Repairs in 2026
The Rotherhithe Tunnel will close for repairs starting in 2026, delayed by funding issues, impacting local traffic and transport plans.
Rotherhithe, London, UK, Transport for London, Tunnel Repairs
London: So, it looks like the Rotherhithe Tunnel is going to be closed for a while. We’re talking about several months of repairs, but it won’t even start until 2026 at the earliest. The delay is mainly because they’re short on funds.
Transport for London (TfL) had hoped to kick off the repairs as soon as 2025, right after the new Silvertown Tunnel opens. But now, they’ve confirmed that the closure won’t happen until April 2026 at the very earliest. The government hasn’t provided the long-term funding needed, which is a real bummer.
The tunnel, which connects Rotherhithe with Limehouse, is facing a bunch of issues with its systems. TfL says it’s still safe to use, but they need to do some serious work to keep it running smoothly in the long run. They’re currently doing regular maintenance, but it’s not enough.
Back in 2020, they estimated the repair costs to be between £116 million and £178 million, but with inflation, that number has likely gone up. Even though TfL got a nice chunk of change in the recent budget, they still need more support from the government to get the repairs rolling.
They’re hoping for some multi-year funding to be announced in the Chancellor’s spending review, which is expected in June 2025. But any funding won’t kick in until the 2026/27 financial year, so we’re looking at a long wait.
A TfL spokesperson mentioned that they’re doing everything they can to keep the tunnel operational while planning for future work. They’ve got designs ready for a full refurbishment, but it’s going to take a lot of investment over several years.
On the other hand, a spokesperson from the Department for Transport pointed out that maintaining the tunnel is TfL’s job. They emphasized how crucial London’s transport network is for the economy, which is why they allocated nearly £500 million in additional funding.
Just a heads up, the tunnel has some restrictions. Only vehicles under two meters in height and width can use it, and there’s a weight limit too. If you exceed those limits, you could face a hefty fine.
Keith Prince, a transport spokesperson for the City Hall Conservatives, expressed concerns about the tunnel’s ongoing deterioration and the rising repair costs. He’s been pushing for more transparency from the mayor about what’s being done to address these issues.
The mayor recently mentioned the financial challenges left by the previous government but is optimistic that the new government is more supportive of London’s needs. Let’s hope they can sort this out soon!