The Blackwall Tunnel reopened overnight after more than 12 hours closed after a van caught fire - sparking traffic chaos and hours-long queues of traffic in south-east London.
Late on Wednesday, TfL was still working to repair the tunnel’s surface following the fire.
Motorists were forced to abandon their cars inside the north-bound tunnel after the van caught fire around midday on Wednesday, causing the major Thames crossing to be evacuated and sparking the lengthy closure.
A TfL spokesperson said, around 10.45pm on Wednesday: “The Blackwall tunnel was closed earlier after a van fire. Thankfully everyone in the tunnel was evacuated safely and there were no injuries.
“Work is underway so that the tunnel can reopen, which we expect to happen in the early hours of the morning.
“Drivers are advised to use alternative river crossings while the route via Blackwall is closed and check before they travel.”
@TfL any update about the Blackwall Tunnel? I’m sure the hundreds of drivers who have also been stuck in 5+ hour traffic would like some more information regarding this standstill?
— George Moore (@George___Moore) August 28, 2024
Major tailbacks were reported on the A102 from Greenwich to Poplar and the Woolwich Road Flyover after the vehicle set alight in the tunnel around midday.
Severe delays were affecting Greenwich and the surrounding area throughout Wednesday afternoon, and into Wednesday night.
Transport for London (TfL) said traffic was being diverted from A102 at Woolwich Road with congestion on diversion routes towards Woolwich Ferry, Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge.
One driver told the Standard they were stuck in traffic for nearly three hours after trying to make the short journey home from Greenwich to Stepney Green, which usually takes 10 minutes.
Lorraine Ishmail said: “We have been sat here for 45 minutes on the side of the tunnel.
I have never seen the traffic so bad. The whole of Greenwich around the station area is completely gridlocked. Chaos. https://t.co/uwvltbzxiA
— BSmith (@BrendaSmiffy) August 28, 2024
“We’ve been in this traffic since half past 12 and it looks like we have got a lot more [to wait] as well.”
Drivers and residents also vented their frustration on X.
Stuart Shield wrote: “TfL please can we sort this traffic out sat four hours in the car the whole of Greenwich peninsula is gridlocked due to a fire in the tunnel.”
Another X user, amed Kate Middleton, said streets in east Greenwich were at a “standstill” and “gridlocked with frustrated drivers”.
@TfL please can we sort this traffic out sat four hours in the car the whole of Greenwich peninsula is gridlocked due to a fire in the tunnel. Really the city comes to a standstill no buses ridiculous. Cars overheating. Etc etc. just hope no one was injured obviously 🙄
— Stuart Shield (@Stuartshield) August 28, 2024
”I have never seen the traffic so bad,” said another user, named Brenda. “The whole of Greenwich around the station area is completely gridlocked. Chaos.”
Another woman told how a journey home from Greenwich Ikea, which should normally taken 15 minutes, had taken two-and-a-half hours.
The van was destroyed in the blaze, which was extinguished at 1.20pm, the London Fire Brigade said, adding that the driver left the vehicle before the brigade arrived.
There were no reports of any injuries.
East Greenwich residential streets gridlocked with frustrated drivers on futile sat nav app routes that just bring every road to a standstill. A guy backed into me ( hit my hip) as i crossed at the raised crossing at Humber rd. pic.twitter.com/g9BIi8Qp8f
— Kate Middleton (@KateM45) August 28, 2024
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.18pm on Wednesday 28 August to reports of an incident in Tunnel Approach, SE10.
“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).
“We attended the scene to assist our emergency services partners. The patient at the scene declined all treatment and we were stood do
