About This Camera
Camera Location & Hazard Overview
Whenever the Blackwall Tunnel is closed, this road becomes essential: John Wilson Street's junction with the New Ferry Approach leads directly to the Woolwich Ferry terminal, the main alternative Thames crossing for oversized and displaced vehicles. Ferry sailing schedules mean traffic here can look completely different from one twenty-minute window to the next, unlike the steadier flow found elsewhere. Even small changes in traffic here tend to ripple outward to neighbouring junctions.
Traffic Pattern & Congestion Trends
Ferry sailing times and capacity closely shape traffic here; when the Blackwall Tunnel is shut, this approach road can back up significantly as displaced tunnel traffic all funnels towards the ferry instead. A missed sailing can leave a noticeable queue building along this approach for the full wait until the next boat departs. Conditions can shift quickly here, so a clear camera feed is only ever a snapshot rather than a guarantee, and a missed sailing can leave frustrated drivers making risky manoeuvres that occasionally end in a car accident claim near the ferry approach.
Traffic Fines & Camera Enforcement
Loading and waiting restrictions are enforced along the ferry approach to keep the queuing lane clear. Additional signage manages HGV access, given the ferry's importance for oversized vehicles that can't use either Thames tunnel nearby. The wider Ultra Low Emission Zone charge also applies throughout this stretch, on top of any parking or loading penalty.
Road Closures & Alternative Routes
If the ferry approach itself is backed up, there's little alternative besides waiting or using the Rotherhithe Tunnel further west, since the ferry exists specifically to serve vehicles that can't use the tunnels. Frequent ferry users generally check the live sailing times before joining this approach, since arriving a few minutes after a departure means a longer wait than the queue length alone suggests.
Driver Safety & Local Tips
This particular feed is essential viewing whenever the Blackwall Tunnel camera shows a closure — expect the ferry queue to lengthen quickly as displaced traffic arrives, and check sailing times before joining the queue.
ULEZ & Emissions
Greenwich sits inside the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone, which has run 24/7 since August 2023. Non-compliant petrol cars pre-2006 and diesels pre-2015 pay £12.50 a day on top of any Congestion Charge liability. Check a specific plate at tfl.gov.uk/ulez before travelling into the borough.
Parking near John Wilson St/New Ferry Approach, East London
Right by the Woolwich Ferry terminal, on-street parking is limited and mostly geared towards ferry queuing rather than casual stays, so don't expect to leave a car here for long. Woolwich town centre's Central Way car park, a short walk away, is the better option if you're visiting the area rather than crossing the river. The Royal Borough of Greenwich CPZ covers nearby residential streets, typically Monday to Saturday daytime. Single yellow lines near the ferry approach restrict stopping to keep the queuing lane clear at all times, regardless of standard CPZ hours. HGV drivers using the ferry should follow the specific signed waiting areas rather than general street parking. Details: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/parking.
If on-street parking is hard to find, apps like JustPark and YourParkingSpace let you pre-book a private driveway or car park nearby — typically from around £2–£6 per hour or £10–£25 per day depending on how central the location is.
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