Today, Louie French MP formally objected to Sadiq Khan's proposals to impose a toll on the Blackwall Tunnel.
The new toll, which could be imposed next year, would cost car drivers £4 and large van drivers £6.50 per crossing at peak times, respectively. The over-century-old Blackwall Tunnel is one of the few road crossings in the east of London and has been free since it opened in 1897.
In a consultation response on behalf of the 6,062 people who signed a petition opposing the Blackwall Tunnel toll, Louie French objected to Transport for London's latest road pricing scheme.
Louie warned that the proposals were unaffordable, unfair and would lead to unintended traffic consequences. Motorists in the east and south-east of London are already overtaxed and have few places to cross the Thames compared to the 30-plus bridges in west London, none of which are tolled.
Commuters driving by car could face an annual bill of up to £2,080 for crossing twice each day to get to work. Some van drivers could see road charges of over £40 a day if they use the tunnel and are hit by the Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone.
He said: "London's motorists are already overtaxed. TfL is making our city even more unaffordable by introducing another road pricing scheme. It is especially unfair to ask drivers in the east and south-east of London to pay for something west London receives for free.
"Bexley deserves more from the Mayor than more road pricing and being treated as second-class citizens in London. You must recognise the high contribution motorists are already making and how little they receive back from your administration. I therefore urge you and TfL to reconsider these plans to impose tolling on the Blackwall Tunnel."
