Status of the foot tunnel lifts
Page last updated: 17 April 2026
Greenwich foot tunnel
South lift – in service since 16 April 2026
North lift – in service since 13 April 2026
| Entry point | Availability in the last 30 days | Trip count |
|---|---|---|
| South lift | 31% | 10,276 |
| North lift | 94% | 36,456 |
Woolwich foot tunnel
South lift – out of service since 14 April 2026 due to a pigeon infestation. Waiting for cleaning and pest control.
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 | 69% | 18,763 |
| North lift | 0% | 0 |
Alternative routes
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.
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
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 between Greenwich and Island Gardens.
Woolwich Foot Tunnel
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 between Woolwich Arsenal and King George V.
The Woolwich Ferry is owned and operated by Transport for London (TfL).
Find out more about the Woolwich Ferry (TfL)
Taking bicycles through the foot tunnels
You must not cycle through the Greenwich or Woolwich foot tunnels. You must dismount and walk your bicycle through.
E-bikes are not allowed in the tunnels. You must end your journey before entering a tunnel. You'll need to restart your ride on another hire bike on the other side.
Silvertown Tunnel cycle shuttle
You can use a dedicated shuttle service through the Silvertown Tunnel.
Find out more about the cycle shuttle service (TfL)
Using the lifts
The main cause of lift breakdowns is improper use. To help keep the tunnel lifts working, do not:
- try to force the doors open
- jam the lift doors
- exceed lift capacity
- repeatedly press the buttons
Report a problem
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.
Maintenance and cleaning
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.
When we clean the foot tunnels
Greenwich Foot Tunnel: every first Tuesday and Wednesday of the month.
Woolwich Foot tunnel: every second Tuesday and Wednesday of the month.