Woolwich foot tunnel repairs to start 'shortly'

Work to repair a lift in a tunnel linking two London boroughs on either side of the River Thames should begin "shortly".

The northern lift of the Woolwich foot tunnel, which runs from Old Woolwich in Greenwich to North Woolwich in Newham, has been out of service since August 2022.

The repair, which will be funded by both councils equally, was originally hoped to have been completed by January 2025.

Newham councillor Sarah Ruiz, who is responsible for sustainable transport, said the work would be completed "sometime within the next year".

The tunnel is open 24 hours day, seven days a week and is used by an estimated 300,000 pedestrians and cyclists each year.

Both the north and south entrances, built by London County Council and opened in October 1912, are Grade II listed buildings.

Both councils have an equal financial responsibility for the 112-year-old tunnel.

However on 3 July, an update to Greenwich council's transport scrutiny panel suggested the authority was waiting for Newham council to sign an agreement.

It said the council was "currently awaiting Newham to respond on Woolwich foot tunnel and sign deed of adherence to Woolwich tunnel parts replacement maintenance cost sharing".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said neither council would comment on why the agreement had not yet been signed or why work had not yet begun – but both said they were committed to sharing the costs.

A Greenwich council spokesperson said: "We have received a commitment from Newham Council, to split costs 50/50 and get the lifts up and running. We will be sharing plans on next steps and timelines, in due course."

Ms Ruiz, for Newham, said: "We are pleased to say that work should be getting under way shortly to repair the northern lift shaft.

"Both Newham and Greenwich are sharing the cost of repairs, which fall outside of the routine maintenance agreement for the tunnel. We hope to have the works completed sometime within the next year."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]