Page last updated: 13 March 2026
South lift – in service since 20 November 2025. There will be some maintenance work on the lift car guide shoe. Start date is yet to be confirmed.
North lift – in service since 25 February 2026
From Monday 16 March, we'll be upgrading the fire alarms in Greenwich Foot Tunnel.
This is part of our wider work to improve the Foot Tunnel to ensure it is safe and accessible for all.
Pedestrians will still be able to use the tunnel, but engineers will be present to carry out these works.
The fire alarms may also sound intermittently when testing the system.
We expect these works to last until early April, and we're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause during that time.
| Entry point | Availability in the last 30 days | Trip count |
|---|---|---|
| South lift | 100% | 33,732 |
| North lift | 99% | 37,713 |
South lift – in service since 23 January 2026
North lift – out of service since 21 August 2022. The door was vandalised and became irreparable without bespoke parts replacement. We're planning a major refurbishment of this lift.
| Entry point | Availability in the last 30 days | Trip count |
|---|---|---|
| South lift | 100% | 27,872 |
| North lift | 0% | 0 |
If a foot tunnel is closed, you can use the DLR or Woolwich Ferry. During peak travel times, cyclists may be denied access to the DLR.
The Greenwich Foot Tunnel connects Cutty Sark on the south bank of the River Thames to Island Gardens, Tower Hamlets.
If it's closed, you can use the DLR and journeys are free for the next year between Greenwich and Island Gardens.
You'll need to tap in and out as usual but the fare will be refunded.
Cutty Sark DLR station closed until spring 2026
The Woolwich Foot Tunnel connects Woolwich on the south bank of the River Thames to North Woolwich in Newham.
If it's closed, you can use the DLR and journeys are free for the next year between Woolwich Arsenal and King George V.
You'll need to tap in and out as usual but the fare will be refunded.
The Woolwich Ferry is owned and operated by Transport for London (TfL).
Find out more about the Woolwich Ferry (TfL)
You can use a dedicated shuttle service through the Silvertown Tunnel.
Find out more about the cycle shuttle service (TfL)
The main cause of lift breakdowns is improper use. To help keep the tunnel lifts working, do not:
If you notice a problem like a broken lift when using the tunnel, report it to us.
If the problem needs urgent attention, for example, a safety risk, call 020 8854 8888.
Help points are available in the tunnels and are monitored 24 hours a day. If there's an emergency, call 999.
Our planned maintenance works to the north lift of the Greenwich foot tunnel has been delayed. This work is expected to take place in 2025.
We are planning to carry out maintenance work on the south lift of the Greenwich foot tunnel in the coming months to address issues with reliability.
We wet clean the foot tunnels monthly on specific weekdays from 8pm to 10pm.
You can still use them but there's a fair amount of water present when we clean them.
Greenwich Foot Tunnel: every first Tuesday and Wednesday of the month.
Woolwich Foot tunnel: every second Tuesday and Wednesday of the month.