Blackwall Tunnel Entrance, Poplar

The Blackwall Tunnel was designed by Alexandra Binnie, LCC Engineer, and built between 1892-1897.  A large gate house was built at both ends of the Tunnel with accommodation for staff.  The northern one at Poplar was built between 1896-7.  It was built of polished granite and decorated with the coat of arms of the four counties that the tunnel linked: Middlesex, Kent, Essex and Surrey.

Opened on 22nd May 1987, by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) on behalf of Queen Victoria, who was unwell and could not attend.  A large bronze plague to commemorate the opening of the Tunnel, in the Art Nouveau style, was erected at the gate house.  In 1899, public toilets were constructed to the left of the entrance, in a style that blended with the gate house.

The area in front of the gate house was where dock workers were called for work in the East India Dock.  It was also where Union and strike meetings were held.  In the early days of Dock Strikes and lockouts, the area was known as the East Ends' own “speakers’ corner”. 

Virtually as soon as the Tunnel opened, there was congestion.  Originally built for the horse and cart, the Tunnel, in 1914, was being used by 1493 vehicles daily, 491 motor powered and 1002 horse drawn.  By 1934 this had become 6,283 vehicles daily and of these only 123 were horse drawn.  In 1939, to help stop congestion, the horse and carts were banned from the Tunnel during the morning and evening rush hour!  

The huge growth in traffic plus lorry fires and accidents in the Tunnel led to the construction of another tunnel to the west of the old one.  Work commenced in 1958 when the gate house and public toilets were demolished   The whole undertaking was finished in nine years.  The two tunnel system was opened on 2nd August 1967.  This road improvement ripped the heart out of Poplar.  Where once there were pubs, cafes, shops and people, there is now just a traffic no-mans-land.