Major Traffic Disruption in East London: Gridlock as Crash into Blackwall Tunnel Causes Closure

On the morning of March 10, 2025, motorists faced major delays after a lorry crashed into the Blackwall Tunnel, causing a southbound closure and bringing gridlock to parts of east London.

The incident occurred around 8:50 a.m., prompting the Metropolitan Police to respond to reports of a collision in the southbound tunnel between the A12/A13 and Greenwich.

Police confirmed that a lorry had collided with part of the tunnel infrastructure. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, the crash led to significant disruption, with the southbound tunnel remaining closed for over two hours as recovery and inspection work continued.

The closure caused long tailbacks, with congestion building on the A12 back to Bromley-by-Bow and A13 queues stretching to Beckton. Drivers also reported heavy traffic through alternative routes, including the Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge, as vehicles were diverted from the Blackwall Tunnel.

Public transport was also impacted, with bus routes 108 and 115 being rerouted due to the closure and congestion. Transport for London (TfL) advised drivers to seek alternative routes and allow extra time for their journeys, warning that delays were expected to continue into the early afternoon.