The tunnel was constructed for London County Council and opened in 1912. In many respects it is very similar to the nearby Greenwich foot tunnel, being accessed by lifts and stairs from buildings featuring glass domes. This tunnel too is glazed with white tiles (although many have unfortunately been defaced).

Its creation owed much to the efforts of working-class politician Will Crooks who had worked in the docks and, after chairing the LCC's Bridges Committee responsible for the tunnel, would later serve as Labour MP for Woolwich.