Crossing the Thames: Bridges, Tunnels and Their Limits

Plenty of crossings in the west, very few in the east

Between Hampton Court and Tower Bridge the Thames is crossed frequently, and a driver has real choice. East of Tower Bridge the crossings become sparse, and each one carries its own restrictions. That asymmetry is the single most important fact about river crossings in London: a journey in the west can absorb a closure easily, while a journey in the east may have no comparable alternative at all.

Crossings with genuine restrictions

Several crossings are not available to every vehicle. Albert Bridge carries a weight restriction and a narrow carriageway. Rotherhithe Tunnel has weight and dimension limits that exclude many larger vehicles. Blackwall Tunnel has a height limit on one bore and a tight bend within it. Tower Bridge carries a weight limit and occasionally lifts for river traffic. Hammersmith Bridge has been subject to a long-running restriction and its status should be checked rather than assumed.

• Albert Bridge: weight restriction and a narrow carriageway
• Rotherhithe Tunnel: weight and size limits excluding larger vehicles
• Blackwall Tunnel: height limit on one bore, with a bend inside it
• Tower Bridge: weight limit and occasional lifts for shipping

Charged crossings in the east

The eastern crossings now include charging arrangements, with the newer Silvertown crossing and the Blackwall Tunnel operating a user charge, and the Dartford Crossing further out running its own scheme. The amounts and the hours are set by the relevant authority and have been revised, so they are checked at the time of travel rather than quoted from memory. On a chauffeur booking any such charge is normally handled by the operator and reflected in the quotation.

How a driver actually chooses

The choice depends on four things: where the journey genuinely ends, what the vehicle is, the current condition of each candidate crossing, and whether a charge applies. In practice a driver will have a first choice and a fallback before setting off, because the eastern tunnels in particular are prone to closures for incidents and maintenance, and discovering that at the tunnel mouth costs a great deal of time.

For journeys between north and south London that do not need to be central, the outer crossings are frequently better than they look, even though the distance is greater.

The crossings that are not for cars

Two well-known crossings carry no vehicles at all. The Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels are pedestrian, and a map that shows them as a link between north and south is not showing a driving route. The Woolwich Ferry carries vehicles but operates to a timetable and limited hours, so it is a supplement rather than a substitute. Knowing which is which prevents an unpleasant surprise at the end of a long approach.

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