The Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels have reopened following a significant fire at an industrial unit on Tunnel Avenue in Greenwich, south-east London. The incident, which began on Tuesday evening, saw around 70 firefighters tackle flames that sent thick smoke drifting across nearby roads, severely affecting visibility for drivers and causing extensive disruption across the area.
Fire crews were called to the scene at approximately 18:15 GMT. Using two 100ft (32m) turntable ladders as water towers, firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze from above. The London Fire Brigade confirmed that the flames were brought under control overnight, though some roads remain closed while crews continue to monitor the site on Wednesday morning.
Two people were advised to leave a neighbouring property as a precaution. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries. Despite the reopening of the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels overnight, several connecting routes — including Tunnel Avenue, Blackwall Lane, and the Blackwall Lane slip road leading to the northbound Blackwall Tunnel — remain shut as safety assessments continue.
The fire’s cause has not yet been determined, and investigations are under way. For now, Transport for London (TfL) has urged motorists to plan ahead and expect residual delays on approaches to both tunnels.
The Blackwall Tunnel, one of the capital’s key river crossings, plays a crucial role in linking the London Borough of Tower Hamlets with the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Originally opened in 1897 by the Prince of Wales, it began as a single bore designed to support London’s growing trade and transport needs. As traffic volumes increased, a second bore was added in 1967 to ease congestion, dividing traffic between northbound and southbound routes.
Before the construction of the Silvertown Tunnel, the Blackwall crossing served as the easternmost free fixed road link across the River Thames. The route connected the A12 in the north to the A2 in the south and was an essential artery for commuters, logistics, and travellers moving between Kent, south-east London, and central London.
The Silvertown Tunnel, opened on 7 April 2025, was designed to ease chronic congestion through the A102 Blackwall Tunnel and improve resilience in the area’s road network. Built beneath the River Thames between west Silvertown and the Greenwich Peninsula, the 1.4 km (0.87-mile) twin-bore tunnel is part of the A1026 and incorporates dedicated lanes for buses, coaches, taxis, and heavy goods vehicles.
Operated under a toll system by TfL and delivered by the Riverlinx consortium, both the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels now apply charges between 06:00 and 22:00, with free overnight travel. Although cyclists and pedestrians are not permitted to use the tunnels, a dedicated shuttle bus service ensures continued accessibility for those on two wheels, while all buses using the tunnels are now zero-emission vehicles.
The reopening of the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels marks a swift recovery from what could have been a prolonged closure. With firefighters maintaining a presence on-site and road engineers assessing the remaining damage, full access to surrounding routes is expected to resume once safety is confirmed.
As one of London’s busiest river crossings, the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels remain vital to keeping the capital moving — a reminder of how integral this infrastructure is to daily travel and trade in the city’s east.
