Blackwall tunnel pcn

Hi everyone,

I would really appreciate any advice on this PCN\. I received a penalty charge for not paying the Blackwall Tunnel user charge\. I genuinely didn’t realise there was a charge to use the tunnel\. I’m a new rider and only got my CBT a few months ago, so while this may be common knowledge for more experienced drivers and riders, it wasn’t something I was aware of\. I also live in West London and had never driven or ridden through the Blackwall Tunnel before, so I had no previous experience of the charge\.

I understand that not knowing about a charge doesn’t automatically cancel a PCN, but I wanted to explain the circumstances and ask whether there are any grounds on which I could challenge it or if there is anything else I should do\. I would be very grateful for any advice or guidance you can offer\. Thank you in advance for your time and help\.

For your information, according to a recent FOI request;

During the months of March, April, and May 2026, we received a total of 29,714 representations. Of these, 3,294 were rejected where the recipient stated that they were unaware of the tunnel charging scheme. No representations were accepted on these grounds. All data is correct as of 16 June 2026.

https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-0736-2627

This is due to the multitude of signs on all of the approaches to the tunnels.

Was your approach from the south or the north ?

The toll signs are designed deliberately to generate lots of PCNs, because it is money-for-old-rope for TfL, which can say "it's all signed". But there are no details about how to pay, all you see is the "C" sign as you approach, and the adjudicators at London Tribunals seem to agree, quite why one must ask.