Rotherhithe Tunnel Safery
Case reference FOI2025/01447
Received 25 December 2025
Published 27 January 2026
Request
I have been made aware that TfL closes Rotherhithe Tunnel if it takes a vehicle four minutes to drive through the tunnel. The rationale behind this is "The London Fire Brigade, who regulated fire safety, are of the opinion that Rotherhithe is safe to operate, with the mitigation that the tunnel is closed if traffic takes longer than four minutes to travel through the tunnel, portal to portal. They have permitted the tunnel to remain open under these conditions." Can you confirm if you have indeed stated this in meetings or in communication with TfL l? If so can you provide the rationale in allowing the tunnel to remain open only if it takes less than four minutes to drive through? What are the risks of it takes longer? Why is the tunnel allowed to remain open if it is not safe to he stationary inside of it for four minutes?
Response
Please see the response in the attached link below.
Documents
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