Drivers and commuters in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, face significant travel delays today following the total suspension of the Woolwich Ferry service on January 29, 2026. According to Transport for London (TfL), the service was flagged as suspended at 06:45am on January 29 after a technical fault with the vessels, leaving those who use the crossing to access East London or the Docklands looking for other ways across the River Thames.
The closure affects many people from Rickmansworth who drive via the M25 and the North Circular (A406) to reach the free ferry as a way to avoid charges at the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels. Independent monitoring at tubestatus.net confirms the Woolwich Ferry was suspended on the morning of January 29, and TfL has not given an estimated time for when the service will return to normal.
While the ferry is shut, heavy traffic is expected to build up around the Dartford Crossing and other river-crossing routes, which could add up to around 45 minutes to cross‑river journeys during peak hours. Residents can check for the latest travel updates to help plan their routes and avoid the worst congestion.
The Woolwich Foot Tunnel remains open for pedestrians and cyclists, although lifts at the foot tunnels are frequently out of service; check the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s foot‑tunnel status page for the latest lift information. For those who can leave the car behind, one recommended option is to park at a Metropolitan Line station (for example, Rickmansworth) and take the Metropolitan Line into central London, changing at Farringdon for the Elizabeth Line to reach Woolwich — currently the fastest public‑transport option to bypass river traffic.
