London travel news LIVE: Blackwall Tunnel van fire sparks chaos as drivers abandon cars and traffic diverted

Drivers have been facing major disruption after the Blackwall Tunnel closed after a van caught fire around lunchtime on Wednesday.

Motorists were forced to abandon their cars inside the tunnel after a van caught fire around midday, causing the major tunnel to be evacuated and closed.

TfL is working to repair the road following the fire, but has warned the tunnel will likely not open until the early hours of Thursday.

TfL is warning drivers to use other river crossings, and to check before they travel.

Major tailbacks were reported on the A102 from Greenwich to Poplar and the Woolwich Road Flyover after the vehicle set alight in the tunnel around midday.

Severe delays were affecting Greenwich and the surrounding area on Wednesday night.

Transport for London (TfL) said traffic was being diverted from A102 at Woolwich Road with congestion on diversion routes towards Woolwich Ferry, Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge.

The van was destroyed in the blaze, which was extinguished at 1.20pm, the London Fire Brigade said, adding that the driver left the vehicle before the brigade arrived.

There were no reports of any injuries.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.18pm on Wednesday 28 August to reports of an incident in Tunnel Approach, SE10.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

“We attended the scene to assist our emergency services partners. The patient at the scene declined all treatment and we were stood down.”

Follow our latest updates below

Live coverage ends

22:44 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Here ends our live coverage of this story.

You can read more about the Blackwall Tunnel closure here.

Blackwall Tunnel likely to remain shut overnight

22:43

We’ve just had a statement from TfL, which has said unfortunately the Blackwall Tunnel is likely to remain shut until the early hours of tomorrow (Thursday).

A TfL spokesperson said: “The Blackwall tunnel was closed earlier after a van fire. Thankfully everyone in the tunnel was evacuated safely and there were no injuries.

“Work is underway so that the tunnel can reopen, which we expect to happen in the early hours of the morning.

“Drivers are advised to use alternative river crossings while the route via Blackwall is closed and check before they travel.”

Drivers and residents vent frustration as fire leaves roads gridlocked for hours

19:15

'I have never seen the traffic so bad'

19:11 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Greenwich residents have this evening reported seeing the worst traffic they have ever seen in the area, as the Blackwall Tunnel congestion leaves surrounding roads in gridlock.

One woman wrote on X: “I have never seen the traffic so bad. The whole of Greenwich around the station area is completely gridlocked. Chaos.”

Major disruption continues on A102

18:01 , Miriam Burrell

Traffic is still being diverted from the A102 at Woolwich Road after a van caught fire earlier today in Blackwall Tunnel.

Traffic is slow moving on diversion routes towards Woolwich Ferry, Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge, Transport for London warned commuters.

“Expect delays in local and surrounding area,” it said in an update just before 6pm.

London-bound trains disrupted until 8pm, says SWR

17:06 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Away from the Blackwall Tunnel, rail firm SWR is reporting London-bound trains running through Surbiton are disrupted.

The disruption has been caused by a signalling problem at Surbiton, and is expected to last until 8pm, says SWR.

Trains running through Surbiton may be delayed or revised, it added.

Woman's 15-minute journey 'takes 2.5 hours' amid disruption

16:25 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

A woman has told on X how what should have been a 15-minute drive home from Ikea in Greenwich has become a two-and-a-half-hour journey due to the ongoing Blackwall Tunnel disruption.

Road repairs underway after van fire

16:02 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Carriageway repairs are reportedly underway at the Blackwall Tunnel following the earlier van fire.

Traffic cannot join the A102 at the Sun In The Sands Roundabout, according to traffic monitoring website Inrix.

There are still long delays on the A102 Blackwall Tunnel northbound, from Greenwich to Poplar.

There is also congestion to the Woolwich Road Flyover, and both ways on Blackwall Lane to and from Woolwich Road and Trafalgar Road.

Driver stuck in traffic for three hours after attempting 10 minute journey to shops

15:21 , Jacob Phillips

A driver has told the Standard they have been stuck in traffic for nearly three hours after trying to make the short journey home from Greenwich to Stepney Green.

Lorraine Ishmail said: “We have been sat here for 45 minutes on the side of the tunnel.

“We’ve been in this traffic since half past 12 and it looks like we have got a lot more [to wait] as well.”

She explained that a worker had directed her back towards Greenwich and advised take the Woolwich ferry.

The driver added that the journey usually takes 10 minutes.

Drivers 'forced to evacuate on foot'

15:07 , Jacob Phillips

A driver has taken to Facebook to complain about having to evacuate the Blackwall Tunnel.

They explained that they have been forced to evacuate on foot due to the fire in the tunnel.

TfL warns drivers to use alternative route

14:39 , Jacob Phillips

Transport for London has warned drivers to avoid the Blackwall Tunnel following a van fire.

In an update TfL said: “Use an alternative route. Traffic is slow moving on A102 northbound from after Woolwich Flyover approaching the closures.

“In addition traffic is slow moving on the diversion routes, Woolwich Ferry, Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge. Expect delays.”

Long delays at the Blackwall Tunnel following van fire

14:29 , Jacob Phillips

There are long delays and one lane remains closed due to the van fire on the Blackwall Tunnel Northbound from Greenwich to Poplar.

Travel data site Inrix says that there is currently congestion to the Woolwich Road Flyover, and both ways on Blackwall Lane to Woolwich Road and Trafalgar Road.

Trapped traffic has begun being released and one of two lanes are closed.

Police are directing traffic.

Full statement from the London Fire Brigade

14:20 , Jacob Phillips

A van has been destroyed in a fire in the Blackwall Tunnel.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters responded to reports of a van alight in Blackwall Tunnel, Greenwich.

“One van was destroyed by the fire. One man left the vehicle before the Brigade arrived.

“There were no reports of any injuries.

“The Brigade was called at 1214 and the incident was over for firefighters at 1320.

“Crews from Lewisham, Poplar, Millwall and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.”

Patient declined treatment at Blackwall Tunnel

14:19

A patient at the Blackwall Tunnel refused treatment from the London Ambulance Service, a spokesperson told the Standard.

A LAS spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.18pm on Wednesday 28 August to reports of an incident in Tunnel Approach, SE10.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

“We attended the scene to assist our emergency services partners. The patient at the scene declined all treatment and we were stood down.”

Blackwall Tunnel evacuated

14:12 , Miriam Burrell

Video footage posted to X, formerly Twitter, appears to show people evacuating the Blackwall Tunnel following the van fire.