The Greenwich and Woolwich Foot Tunnels connect the Royal Borough of Greenwich with the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham via pedestrian routes beneath the River Thames.
History and purpose
The Greenwich Foot Tunnel opened in 1902, followed by the Woolwich Foot Tunnel in 1912.
The former London County Council built both tunnels to give workers from south of the river reliable, all-weather access to the docks and shipyards on the north bank.
The tunnels originally supported a 15-person workforce. Today, thousands of people use the tunnels daily.
How the tunnels are managed
The Royal Borough of Greenwich manages the tunnels on behalf of:
- the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (for Greenwich Tunnel)
- the London Borough of Newham (for Woolwich Tunnel)
Until 1964, the Woolwich Foot Tunnel connected directly to a historically Kent-administered enclave on the north bank of the Thames.
Refurbishment and improvements
Both tunnels have recently undergone extensive refurbishment. This work is now complete and was delivered on time and within budget.
The refurbishment included:
- 4 new lifts which are operational 24 hours everyday, designed with reused original interiors
- CCTV coverage throughout for public safety
- upgraded tunnel lighting
- external signs showing lift availability
- new rotunda roofs
- structural repairs and modernisation of key components
As both tunnels are listed structures, all work was carried out with care to preserve their historic character.