Safety improvements continue at Blackwell Tunnel

Date: 8/6/2011

Blackwell Tunnel will be shut this weekend (June 10th-13th) as safety refurbishments continue.

According to Transport for London, the work is now nearing completion as this is the penultimate weekend closure scheduled to take place.

As a result, southbound traffic will be unable to pass through the 113-year-old structure between Friday evening and Monday morning.

The project is believed to be inline to finish in December - which would be approximately one year ahead of schedule and mean it is ready in time for next summer's Olympic Games.

Work being carried out has included the installation of new lighting, the commissioning of ventilation fans that have been designed to fit in the tunnel's shafts, the deployment of a communications system and an upgraded CCTV system.

In addition, 26 inlets are being constructed to provide drivers with a safe haven.

When work is underway on the structure, northbound traffic is diverted through the southbound tunnel, with vehicles travelling south required to use the alternative river crossings.

Posted by Sarah Bailey