Greenwich Council plans to enforce steep new penalties on cyclists flouting the century-old ban in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, addressing growing safety concerns amid crumbling infrastructure and political inertia.
Cyclists exploiting the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, a vital pedestrian link under the Thames, could soon face draconian fines as green light is given to escalate enforcement efforts by local councils. The move reflects the broader failure of the authorities to uphold safety standards, despite persistent reports of reckless cycling endangering families and vulnerable users.
Currently, cycling in the tunnel is officially banned, yet enforcement has been minimal, with a slap-on-the-wrist fine of just £2—an antiquated penalty dating back over a century, which lacks any real deterrent effect. The neglect of this rule, especially after Greenwich’s decision to dispense with lift attendants in 2011, has emboldened dangerous behaviour. Now, under pressure from local safety concerns, plans are in motion to introduce hefty fines, potentially over summer 2025, to crack down on the law-breaking within this historic structure. Greenwich’s enforcement officials are quietly exploring options to make penalties bite, knowing full well that previous efforts have been inadequate.
Alongside the threat of heavier fines, Greenwich Council’s recent agreement with Lime to designate the tunnel a no-go zone for electric bikes signals a desperate attempt to curb illegal cycling and dumping of bikes in the area. Warnings and removal of e-assist features are band-aid solutions trying to mask the deeper issue: the authorities’ inability to enforce basic safety rules, while community safety remains compromised.
The call for stricter controls comes amid alarming incidents that highlight how little respect some cyclists have for others’ safety. Families have reported being shouted at, whistled at, and threatened by speeding cyclists—behaviour that has escalated from mere nuisance to outright assault. Such chaos fuels longstanding opposition from residents and politicians across the river in Tower Hamlets, who argue the narrow, poorly maintained tunnel simply isn’t suited for shared use. They’ve even called for physical barriers to prevent cyclists from entering at critical points, aiming to protect pedestrians but facing resistance from Greenwich officials who are too slow and too fractured to act decisively.
Attempts by Greenwich in 2017 to permit considered cycling in the tunnels were thwarted by opposition from Tower Hamlets and local advocacy groups, citing safety concerns and legal restrictions rooted in disability legislation that some claim prohibit shared infrastructure altogether. Despite the monumental effort to catch up with modern commuter demands, the authorities remain hamstrung by bureaucracy and political indecision.
On a broader level, the tunnels’ structural and operational issues reveal a deeper failure of governance. A botched 2011 refurbishment left Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels with unreliable lifts, adding to the chaos and raising questions over maintenance priorities. The current breakdown of the Greenwich tunnel’s south lift exemplifies a tragic neglect of key infrastructure that should be covered by the Greater London Authority—yet Greenwich’s limited resources mean that essential upgrades are delayed, compounding safety risks for all users.
This institutional paralysis stems from the dysfunctional relationship between the boroughs and the remnants of London’s outdated administrative framework. Since the abolition of the Greater London Council in 1986, and with ongoing jurisdictional wrangles, the maintenance and safety standards of these historic crossings have suffered. The local authorities’ inability or unwillingness to modernise and enforce simple safety regulations exposes a blatant disregard for communities’ wellbeing.
In an environment where safety takes a back seat to political infighting and bureaucratic inertia, the suggestion of installing barriers to dismount cyclists or enforce pedestrian priority comes across as superficial window dressing. These measures reflect a recognition that the current approach is failing, but without a firm resolve to address the root causes—namely, the persistent law-breaking, inadequate infrastructure, and neglectful oversight.
The push for stricter enforcement, including hefty fines and physical barriers, signals a necessary rebellion against the decades of neglect and the inability of local authorities to protect residents from reckless cyclists and crumbling infrastructure. The historic tunnels should be a safe, accessible corridor for all, not a battleground where safety and common sense are sacrificed on the altar of bureaucratic complacency. It’s high time they prioritised community safety over political expediency—before more accidents turn tragic.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2025/06/26/greenwich-foot-tunnel-cycling-fines-tower-hamlets/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2025/06/26/greenwich-foot-tunnel-cycling-fines-tower-hamlets/ – Greenwich councillors have been informed that cyclists riding through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel could face substantial fines if an agreement is reached with Tower Hamlets. Dangerous cycling has been a longstanding issue, leading to friction between the two boroughs. Although cycling in the tunnel is officially banned, the maximum fine, set in 1912, is only £2, and enforcement has been rare since 2011. Discussions are ongoing to implement substantial fines for cyclists failing to dismount, with plans to have this agreed by the end of summer 2025.
- https://road.cc/content/news/council-promises-install-anti-bike-barriers-tunnel-309839 – Greenwich Council has pledged to install barriers in both the Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels to ensure cyclists dismount, following complaints from locals and politicians about ‘speeding’ cyclists posing dangers to pedestrians. The council recognises that some cyclists are making pedestrians feel unsafe and is working with Tower Hamlets Council to improve safety, including the installation of new cycle barriers. The plan also includes regenerating both tunnels and replacing the lifts.
- https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/parking-transport-and-streets/travel-foot-bike-or-public-transport/check-status-foot-tunnels-and – As of June 5, 2025, the south lift of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel has been out of service since May 28, 2025, with further investigation required to identify the fault. The north lift remains in service. The Royal Borough of Greenwich advises users to check the status of the foot tunnels and lifts before planning their journey and provides alternative routes, including the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Woolwich Ferry, in case of tunnel closures.
- https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2023/01/24/put-anti-cyclist-barriers-at-north-end-of-greenwich-foot-tunnel-councillor-says/ – A Tower Hamlets councillor has called for barriers to be placed at the north end of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel to prevent cyclists from ‘zooming through’ the historic crossing. The councillor’s comments come as the council passed a motion expressing concerns about the long-stalled plans to allow cycling in the tunnel, which runs from Cutty Sark Gardens to the Isle of Dogs. Greenwich Council controls the foot tunnel, but it is jointly owned by Greenwich and Tower Hamlets councils.
- https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/23270459.growth-illegal-cycling-greenwich-foot-tunnel/ – Local families have expressed concern over cyclists allegedly shouting and blowing whistles at pedestrians to move out of the way in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. In one instance, families and children were assaulted by a cyclist speeding through the tunnel. Cycling through the Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels is not permitted, and cyclists are supposed to walk through the tunnel along with their bikes. However, the issue has become a ‘major problem’ and is increasingly dangerous for families.
- https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local-council/20958347.greenwich-foot-tunnel-too-narrow-share-cycling-isle-dogs-families-tell-city-hall-commissioner/ – Pedestrians are campaigning to prevent any moves to let cyclists ride through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel under the Thames linking the Isle of Dogs to Greenwich. Campaigners, including two Tower Hamlets councillors, argue that the tunnel is too narrow to share with cycling and that allowing cycling would be illegal under disability legislation. The Transport Department’s ‘shared space’ guidance shows the tunnel is not suitable for joint use with cyclists and would be against bylaws.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The narrative is recent, dated 26 June 2025, and discusses ongoing discussions between Greenwich and Tower Hamlets councils regarding increased fines for cycling in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. This aligns with recent reports on the same topic, indicating freshness. However, the article’s URL suggests it originates from ‘The Greenwich Wire’, a local news outlet. While local news can provide timely updates, it’s important to consider the outlet’s reach and potential biases. The article does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The narrative is based on recent council discussions, which typically warrant a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The article includes updated data but does not recycle older material. No similar content was found published more than 7 days earlier.
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Overall assessment
Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary: The narrative is recent and discusses ongoing council discussions regarding increased fines for cycling in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. While the article is based on recent council discussions, it lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The source is a local news outlet, which may have limited reach and potential biases. Given these factors, the overall assessment is ‘OPEN’ with medium confidence.
