The great debate: Should you eat on the tube?
'I eat on the tube whenever I want,' says one commuter. And they do have every right to. TFL has a document published named the 'TFL Conditions of Carriage', which explains the house rules — no drinking booze, no smoking, no flash photography, no hoverboards (yes that's on there) — but there is no mention of food at all. Food is legally allowed to be consumed on TFL services. But still, there are a lot of legal things that are considered rude, like staring, or refusing to give up your chair for an elderly person. This is where our moral compass has to kick in.
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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
'Hated' £2.2bn tunnel in the UK to temporarily close just months after opening
The controversial Silvertown Tunnel, which cost around £2.2bn, has temporarily closed due to maintenance and snagging works - just two months after its grand opening Drivers have been warned after a mega £2.2 billion tunnel, that promised to slash congestion and delays, has temporarily closed. Despite opening just two months ago, the hated Silvertown Tunnel has closed for 17 nights for general maintenance and snagging works. During the southbound-only closures - buses will be diverted via the Blackwall Tunnel. When both directions are closed, buses will operate a split-service that terminates at Canning Town and North Greenwich. "TfL will look to ensure bus services can continue to run where possible and has been communicating with drivers about the closures and weekly customer emails," a spokesperson said. Drivers will be advised through email communications to use alternative routes like the London Underground or route 108. The closures started on Friday, May 30 and will last until Sunday, June 22. Silvertown tunnel closures - the full list Friday, May 30: 22:00–06:00 (Southbound only) Saturday, May 31: 22:00–06:00 (Southbound only) Sunday, June 1: 22:00–05:00 (Southbound only) Monday, June 2: 22:00–05:00 (Southbound only) Tuesday, June 3: 22:00–05:00 (Southbound only) Wednesday, June 4: 22:00–05:00 (Both directions closed) Thursday, June 5: 22:00–05:00 (Northbound only) Friday, June 6: 22:00–06:00 (Both directions closed) Saturday, June 7: 22:00–06:00 (Both directions closed) Sunday, June 8: 22:00–05:00 (Both directions closed) Friday, June 13: 22:00–06:00 (Both directions closed) Saturday, June 14: 22:00–06:00 (Both directions closed) Sunday, June 15: 22:00–05:00 (Both directions closed) Wednesday, June 18: 22:00–05:00 (Southbound only) Friday, June 20: 22:00–06:00 (Both directions closed) Saturday, June 21: 22:00–06:00 (Both bores closed) Sunday, June 22: 22:00–05:00 (Both directions closed) The 1.4km tunnel - which opened on April 7, 2025, links Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula in east London and aims to reduce traffic in the area by making peak-time journeys faster and more reliable. After its grand opening, the average trip across the river was slashed by up to 20 minutes. Funded with a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) against future earnings for £2.2 billion, the tunnel was met with unwavering criticism ever since its planning approval back in 2018. While TfL argued the nearby Blackwall Tunnel was 'never designed' for the levels of traffic now whizzing through the Big Smoke - residents slammed the decision to allow Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to use the new tunnel - meaning they no longer have to travel over the Dartford Crossing. Campaigners have slammed this rule, arguing they'll be subject to gas-guzzling vehicles travelling past their 'schools and kids', worsening the area's air quality. TfL has clapped back, saying it has been monitoring air quality for the past five years across five boroughs and will continue to monitor them for at least three years after the tunnel is opened. "This is to make sure the tunnel user charge levels are working and the project meets its objectives," TFL said. Silvertown Tunnel has resulted in more public transport offerings, with 21 zero-emission buses an hour travelling in each direction between 7am and 7pm Monday-Friday. However, the project was slammed again after it was revealed how almost £2 million was being spent on a three-year 'bike bus' contract that will allow cyclists to travel through the tunnel. The revelation came after TfL prohibited cycling in the tunnel for 'safety reasons' - meaning those on their bike will have to hop off and take a shuttle to cross the tunnel. find out if you're eligible for a discount here.
Evening Standard
7 days ago
- Evening Standard
The great debate: Should you eat on the tube?
'I eat on the tube whenever I want,' says one commuter. And they do have every right to. TFL has a document published named the 'TFL Conditions of Carriage', which explains the house rules — no drinking booze, no smoking, no flash photography, no hoverboards (yes that's on there) — but there is no mention of food at all. Food is legally allowed to be consumed on TFL services. But still, there are a lot of legal things that are considered rude, like staring, or refusing to give up your chair for an elderly person. This is where our moral compass has to kick in.
Time Out
7 days ago
- Time Out
London's congestion charge could increase next year: cost, zone map and everything you need to know
Central London's congestion charge has remained the same price for the last five years. But, according to Transport for London, it's time for it to be increased. The congestion charge is in place to encourage Londoners to use more sustainable modes of travel and decrease emissions in the city centre. TfL wants to raise the charge in order to keep encourage more people to make the eco-friendly switch. Nothing's set in stone yet though. TfL has launched a public consultation over its proposals in order to hear what people living and working in the area have to say. It started on May 27 and will be open until August 5 – you can have your say here. But first, here's everything you need to know about the proposed changes to London's congestion charge. Why is the congestion charge going up? TfL said that it the increase would help further incentivise people to consider electric vehicles or use public transport. It added that if the charge stays the same, there would be around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charge zone on an average weekday next year. How much could London's congestion be increased by? As per TfL's proposals, the charge would increase by 20 percent from £15 to £18, if paid in advance or on the day of travel. At the moment, the congestion charge rises from £15 to £17.50 if it's not paid by midnight on the third day of travel. Under TfL's plans, that higher price will rise to £21. When would the charge increase? The price hike would come into place from January 2026. Where is London's congestion charge zone? The congestion charge zone covers central London, including the City of London, Soho, Southwark and Lambeth, bordered by major roads like Euston Road, Commercial Street, Tower Bridge Road and Vauxhall Bridge Road. Who has to pay the congestion charge? The better question is who doesn't have to pay. At the moment, all electric vehicles can go through the congestion charge zone for free, but that exemption is due to end from December 25 this year. TfL's new proposals say that zero-emissions should be given a discount. The 'New Cleaner Vehicle Discount' would come into place from January 2, 2026. Electric vans, HGVs, light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles will have to pay £9 a day (50 percent discount) and electric cars will have to pay £13.50 (25 percent discount). From March 4, 2030, those discounts would be reduced to 25 percent and 12.5 percent. At the moment residents driving non-electric cars enjoy a 90 percent congestion charge discount. From March 2027, that will be abolished for any new applicants. TfL said: 'Those who are already registered for the discount ahead of this date will not see any changes, reflecting that they might be reliant on their current form of transport.' What have people said about the proposals? Oliver Lord, the UK head of Clean Cities Campaign, said: 'We've record numbers of polluting diesel vans in the UK so I'm thrilled the Mayor is helping to reward businesses that invest in greener fleets. By prioritising electric and pedal powered freight, we will all benefit from cleaner air and quieter streets. 'There's no use having a congestion charge that nobody pays so I think today's proposals strike a fair balance between its core aims around traffic and congestion, whilst also advancing our environmental goals.' However, on the other side of the argument, Michael Lloyd, the FSB's London infrastructure champion, said: 'Many businesses, particularly in sectors where margins are so tight, will not able to absorb these extra costs. 'Businesses will look to charge customers in the charging zone a premium for their business services, which will heighten inflationary pressures further. 'The mayor should immediately reconsider the excessive increase and make it more palatable to struggling small firms. We urge the mayor to maintain a zero charge for small van users.'
