A record number of drivers have used the Tyne Tunnels throughout 2023

TT2, the operator of the Tyne Tunnels, has reported that throughout 2023, there has been a record number of users, journey times are quicker and it has been a bumper year of support for its local communities.

The operator has revealed that its figures of November 2022 to November 2023 show that the river crossing was used by more than 19 million vehicles.

That is an 11.7% increase from the previous year, in which just over 17 million vehicles used the tunnels.

New data also shows that journey times have improved since the switch to open road tolling was made in 2021.

TT2 has stated that the average journey time in October 2023 was 35 seconds faster southbound and 46 seconds faster northbound.

Adrian Wallace, CEO at TT2, commented: "We’re really pleased to see that more people than ever are choosing the tunnels to cross the river and that journey times have reduced since we switched to open-road-tolling.

“The Tyne Tunnels were brought to the region to support regional growth by offering a safe, reliable, and efficient, alternative way to cross the Tyne.

"We help over 62,000 vehicles cross the river every day and we are proud to be supporting greater social mobility and regional success, as well as helping our local communities and the environment through extensive CSR initiatives and funding.”

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In the last 12 months, TT2 has contributed to various local groups, charities and community projects.

These include a transport scheme for Tiny Lives, which helps families of premature babies get to and from hospital, and a sustainable village and sensory Tyne Tunnel for The Percy Hedley Foundation’s schools.

The operator also revealed that people not paying their toll has reduced from 5.39% in the first month of open road tolling to 2.84% in November 2022.

A year on in November 2023, that figure has fallen even further to 2.2%.

There has also been a rise in the number of people and businesses that have opened a pre-paid TT2 account, with almost 83,000 opened within the last year.

As a result of this, 82.94% of all tolls were made via pre-paid accounts in November 2023.