The Woolwich Foot Tunnel runs under the River Thames in east London and connects Woolwich, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, to North Woolwich, in the London Borough of Newham. It is open 24 hours a day for pedestrians to cross the river.

It was originally built in 1912, ten years after the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. The crossing was needed to provide all-weather access for local residents to the London shipyards and docks on the north side of the Thames.

Nowadays the Greenwich Foot Tunnel is much more popular but the Woolwich Foot Tunnel still has around 300,000 users a year.

Quirky Fact: Until 1964, Woolwich Foot Tunnel joined a Norman created enclave of Kent located on the north bank of the Thames.

Refurbished

The Woolwich Foot Tunnel has been refurbished and restored which means the 24 hour lifts (elevators) should be working and there is universal CCTV.

There are lifts/elevators at each end but you can walk up or down the winding steps to save waiting. (There are 126 steps at the northern end.) The lifts are large enough for 40 passengers each.

The tunnel is approximately 1650 feet across so it's a short walk and it is fascinating to think the River Thames is overhead.

The ground-level entrances are round red brick buildings and both are Grade II listed (must be preserved as they are of local significance).

Tip: Take a warm top to wear as whatever the weather at ground level it always feels chilly down there. At its deepest, the tunnel roof is about 10 feet below the river bed.

Cycling Rules

It is thought that around half of the tunnel users are cyclists and the current rule is that all cyclists must dismount in the tunnel and walk, although this is commonly ignored. In 2014 a trial for "shared use" was proposed which will need a change in the current by-law and then cyclists would officially be allowed to cycle through at quieter times.

Further Rules

Other by-laws that are specific to the foot tunnels include:

• No photography
  
• No busking
  
• Dogs must be kept on the lead but are permitted
  

Is It Safe?

That's a valid question as it can feel a bit creepy in the tunnel when you are on your own so I'd not recommend going through alone late at night but it's as safe as any pavement (sidewalk) during the busy commuter times. There is CCTV monitoring in operation throughout the tunnels, stairs and lifts, and there are help points provided within the tunnels.

More History

Before the foot tunnel was built here there was only the Woolwich Ferry which opened in 1889 but it was often suspended due to foggy weather which would leave dock workers unable to reach their work.

The tunnel was designed for London County Council by Irish engineer Maurice Fitzmaurice (1861-1924) who also designed the Rotherhithe Tunnel and Vauxhall Bridge.

Construction began in 1910 with tunnellers working around the clock in 8 hour shifts so work didn't stop. Incredibly, the tunnel was dug by hand using a tunnelling shield and then men excavating with shovels.

The tunnel is lined with cast iron and has glazed white tiles to help with the light reflection underground.

Nearby

If you take a short bus ride from the Woolwich Ferry North Terminal you can visit Thames Barrier Park.