Travel chaos erupts as van catches fire in busy tunnel sparking massive tailbacks

This live blog will now be closed. Thank you for joining us for the latest updates concerning the ongoing traffic chaos in the areas surrounding Blackwell Tunnel following today's vehicle fire.

Drivers in London have vented at the latest TfL update, issued just before 8pm, amid the ongoing traffic chaos surrounding Blackwell Tunnel.

The Londoners responded to a post from the Royal Borough of Greenwich sharing the TfL update.

Many asked for an estimate on how long it would take for "things to clear up" as others complained that the delays were still going on, despite the fire being extinguished just after 1pm.

One person, Karisha Asher, posted that it has taken them three and a half hours from the ASDA Charlton car park to the Ikea roundabout to go towards the A2, adding that they are "still there".

The Blackwall Tunnel, the site of today's traffic chaos, is a major transport route through London.

It is the only major road crossing of the Thames in East London and runs underneath the river to link the boroughs of Greenwich and Tower Hamlets.

It is often heavily congested with motorists, who are set to be hit with a traffic toll that will come into force next year.

It is thought that the toll will be around £4 to £5, with charges expected to be agreed later this year.

TfL has issued an update on the traffic chaos hitting Blacktunnel Tunnel and the surrounding areas.

The update, at 7:50pm, urged drivers to use "an alternative route" and to expect delays in the surrounding areas.

A video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, shows drivers abandoning their cars and fleeing on foot following the van fire this afternoon.

Greenwich locals have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to vent about the traffic chaos in the area following this afternoon's Blackwall Tunnel fire.

One reported seeing the worst traffic they have ever seen in the area.

Another woman wrote on X that what would have been a 15-minute drive home from Ikea in Greenwich "has become a two-and-a-half-hour journey due to the ongoing Blackwall Tunnel disruption".

The London Fire Brigade, who were at the scene of the blaze, have issued a statement.

A spokesperson said: "Firefighters responded to reports of a van alight in Blackwall Tunnel, Greenwich.

"One van was destroyed by the fire. One man left the vehicle before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries."

Traffic camera footage of lines of cars queuing in London thanks to Blackwall Tunnel closure.

Fed-up locals have urged Londoners to avoid the area amid the ongoing traffic chaos.

The London Ambulance Service have released a statement about this afternoon's blaze.

A spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.18pm on Wednesday 28 August to reports of an incident in Tunnel Approach, SE10.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

“We attended the scene to assist our emergency services partners. The patient at the scene declined all treatment and we were stood down.”

Footage has emerged showing drivers abandoning their cars in the Blackwall Tunnel and running for safety after a van caught fire this afternoon.

The van was destroyed in the blaze, which was extinguished at around 1:20pm.

Good evening. We will be bringing you all the latest developments on the traffic chaos in London following the closure of Blackwall Tunnel.