Here is my appeal:
I wish to appeal the Penalty Charge Notice I have received for using the Blackwall Tunnel on the evening of 13th January. As it was approximately a year since I had last used the tunnel, and no charge having ever been in force previously, I had no idea that the tunnels are now subject to a toll, therefore this came as a complete surprise. I had driven from my work in Greenwich the A206 and I didn't notice any indication that a charge was in force; I also didn’t see anything stating what I should pay, what tariffs are in force, how I should pay it, or within what timeframe, as is the case at other toll routes.
The road signs coming from this direction have not been updated and do not include any mention of tolls. They merely still refer to Blackwall or Silvertown tunnels when the word ‘toll’ should have been added (see fig. 1). As far as I can see there is no mention of any kind anywhere on the A206 for approximately the last half mile leading up to the junction with the A102 (Fig.1 and Fig.2). The first overhead gantry encountered only has signage giving guidance such as vehicle width but no reference to tolls (Fig.3). At the second bridge/ gantry the most prominent information refers only to vehicle width and directions. It does include the ‘C’ logo but this predates a tunnel toll being introduced and refers to ULEZ and the Congestion Charge and is therefore easily confused (Fig.4). At no point are there appropriate markings on the road such as the word ‘Toll’, which appears at comparable routes such as the Dartford crossing or the M6 toll road.
The next gantry (Fig. 5) does have two small signs mentioning a charge but in isolation they are easily missed, especially when it is dark, raining and for anyone needing to be in a certain place by a certain time, as I was, and not expecting a charge to be in force (beyond ULEZ and the CC), where none had ever existed previously. The information is also easily missed because the design of the signs is indistinguishable from those for ULEZ and the CC and not sufficiently large, detailed or distinctive enough to indicate that a new and separate charge is in force. The fourth, fifth and sixth gantries have directions contain general information referring to details such as vehicle width, and no mention of the toll, neither is there any signage indicating a toll is in force as you enter the tunnel; again, the signage is merely guidance such as ‘Keep In Lane’ (Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9).
TFL’s letter refers to the driver’s ‘legal duty’ to make themselves ‘charges, tolls or fines’ and to the best of my ability I had done so. Living in Canterbury I was not aware of any changes or new charges being introduced. I had been able to check whether the CC and ULEZ applied to my car online, but I cannot reasonably be expected to second guess the system and look for charges I don’t know exist. I would argue it is also TFL’s duty to provide sufficient signage, especially in cases of levying new tolls and fines. To reiterate, the signage intended to provide advance warning is, in my view, totally inadequate, for the reasons already stated: it is virtually indistinguishable from the ULEZ/ Congestion charge signage, and on major approach routes such as the A206 there appear to be no warning signs at all. Where it exists, the signage is nowhere near as comprehensive or visible as on comparable routes such as the Dartford Crossing or M6 toll road, where much clearer and more detailed signs are in place and where overhead electronic/ smart signage and clear road markings stating ‘toll’ are also in use. These are the types of warning that motorists can reasonable expected to look for. Where no charge has ever been in force previously, it is not reasonable to expect motorists to be constantly on the lookout for new charges being implemented. The only way this can reasonably be done is through abundant and explicitly clear signage and road markings, which are not currently in place on the approach to the Blackwall Tunnel that I used on 13th January, as illustrated by the evidence I have provided.
To reiterate, having looked into it, my understanding is that the charge was only recently introduced and that initially there was a period where warnings were issued instead of fines. Unfortunately, I had received no such warning and this was my first time using the tunnel since the new charge began. No toll was in force when I last used the tunnel around the same time the previous year, in 2025. To reiterate, had I realised there was now a fee for using the Blackwall Tunnel then I would have paid it.
I am therefore asking if you would consider cancelling the PCN on this occasion, as it was a genuine mistake, and as stated the signage is far from clear or sufficient. As previously stated I am now aware of Auto Pay and have created an account (No. 2009784662) to make sure that this does not happen again and that in future I will be covered for all potential charges when driving in London.
I’d greatly appreciate your understanding, thank you for taking the time to read this.
Kind regards,
