Woolwich foot tunnel re-opens as works continue

The tunnel has been undergoing a major refurbishment along with the Greenwich Foot Tunnel as part of an extensive £11.5 million renewal programme to bring the ageing Victorian structures up to date.

Works continue as tunnel opens

Overall, the works have involved four different sites, completely replacing all lifts, stairs and lighting, installing CCTV networks and alarm systems - on top of a complete refurbishment of both tunnels, running the entire length of each. Many of the improvements have been complicated structural works behind the walls of the tunnels.

The Woolwich Foot Tunnel can be accessed from Wednesday, 21 December 2011, via the stairs only while work continues on the lifts. Other works are also still taking place in the tunnel before the project is fully complete.

'Great news'

Councillor Denise Hyland, Greenwich Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Skills said: "It's great news that the Woolwich Foot Tunnel will be open - particularly in time for Christmas when public transport options are much more limited. It's a free and easy means of crossing the river.

"The work on both tunnels has been an extremely complex heritage project - it is the first time since the tunnels were built that work of this extent has taken place and it's not been without its challenges. I thank pedestrians and cyclists for their ongoing patience while we have carried out these complicated works."

Further information

Greenwich Foot Tunnel will also be accessible 24 hours daily, via stairs only, from 6am on 21 December throughout the Christmas and New Year period. Weekday night-time closures are suspended until 3 January 2012.

More information about the foot tunnels in the borough is available at www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/foottunnels.