Blakedale Provides Bespoke Fleet for Silvertown Tunnel Operations

Traffic management specialists Blakedale are supporting Riverlinx, the consortium delivering the Silvertown Tunnel for Transport for London (TfL), by supplying and maintaining a custom fleet to ensure the tunnel operates safely and efficiently.

The new Silvertown Tunnel, connecting Greenwich and west Silvertown, is the first new road tunnel in London in over three decades. It aims to relieve congestion at the nearby Blackwall Tunnel and enhance cross-river traffic flow, forming a critical part of TfL’s long-term infrastructure plans.

Blakedale has delivered a tailored operational fleet for Riverlinx, consisting of two 3.5-tonne Urban Crash Cushion vehicles, three Traffic Safety Vans—including an electric Renault E-TECH Kangoo—and a 3.5-tonne dropside vehicle with tail lift.

The Urban Crash Cushion vehicles, built on Ford Transit and Volkswagen Crafter chassis, are used to provide rolling road closures and escort recovery vehicles during incidents or debris clearance. Crash-tested at 70 km/h (43 mph), they are designed to protect on-site operatives.

The Traffic Safety Vans, which include two high-spec Peugeot Partners and the electric Renault Kangoo, are deployed for daily inspections and routine patrolling. The dropside vehicle is kept on standby for general maintenance duties in and around the tunnel.

All vehicles meet Chapter 8 regulations, featuring LED flashing lights and reflective graphics, and operate continuously to support 24/7 tunnel management. The fleet is supplied under a full maintenance rental agreement, ensuring reliability and compliance at all times.

John Hagan, CEO of Riverlinx, commented:“Blakedale’s expertise has been crucial in developing a fleet that meets the operational demands of the tunnel. The electric van also aligns with our commitment to reducing emissions across our operations.”

Jon Taylor, Managing Director at Blakedale, added:“This project demonstrates our capability to provide bespoke vehicle solutions for complex public infrastructure projects. From design and build to making the vehicles operational, we’ve delivered a fleet tailored to the Silvertown Tunnel’s needs.”

The project highlights the increasing focus on specialist, sustainable fleets in urban infrastructure, combining operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.