Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#1
Well Dover are making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. It would appear the traffic problem is giving more cause for concern for both tourists and locals.
From the Mirror online reporter Capt Greybeard
If you're driving to Dover to join a cruise ship or a cross-Channel ferry, you might want to give yourself a little extra time to get there - as I discovered when I visited Oceania's Marina in the port on Friday.
There are severe delays at Folkestone - where the M20 becomes the A20 and enters the Roundhill Tunnels - due to the failure of expansion joints in a viaduct. Port-bound traffic, which has already come down from three lanes to two past the EuroTunnel turn-offs, has to squeeze into a single lane. Similar restrictions also affect traffic travelling out of Dover towards London.
The hold-ups can add at least an hour to journey times at peak periods, and long tailbacks could continue throughout the summer.
A Highways Agency spokesman explains that replacement joints could take three or four months to be manufactured in Europe, and work to fit them might not be finished before the end of the year.
Dover Harbour Board and ferry operators are demanding urgent action, and have proposed temporary bridges be fitted.
"A permanent repair to the fault is several months away and so the need to provide an adequate temporary solution is becoming critical if the key route to the UK's busiest ferry port is to cope with the anticipated volumes of traffic through the busy summer season," the operators said.
Traffic is likely to increase by 50 per cent next weekend with more than a quarter of a million passengers expected to travel by ferry via Dover at the start of the school holidays
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
#2
This kind of sums it up, really - the kind of joined up and planned approach to Dover. Not.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
#3
This fiasco has been mentioned on a number of different threads now. What it does illustrate is how this sort of thing damages the reputation of Dover and East Kent as a whole. It's probably one of the reasons why potential investors give us a wide berth. Our image is one of continual traffic delays and congestion.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
3 threads now about the roundhill tunnels and has also reached the front page this morning.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#5
Sorry my fault Howard I read the other threads and could gather the trouble it was causing Dovorians etc going about their daily routine. As it became of national concern I started this one off..apologies but the wife kicked me out bed to make a cuppa before taking her to work this morning I was still half asleep..
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
#6
I guess, as it has made the papers as well, it indicates what a blasted concern it is.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#7
it is a major concern , there sometimes seems to be a conspiracy to make dover look bad.
the travellers this weekend will go away with bad memories.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
#8
As will potential investors who must see Dover as little more than one, long traffic jam!
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#9
mmm since when was Folkestone a suburb of Dover?
from what I have been able to glean from my contacts the expansion joints issue is the least of the problems, apparently there are major structural cracks in the tunnels themselves due the fact they are built onto the side of a chalk hill. The chalk is compressing and slipping down the hill.....
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#10
Hope the Highways Agency has subsidence insurance cover?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#11
Don't know why they needed the tunnels - the amount of land hacked though the rest of the A2 they may as well have lopped the top off that one
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#12
If they had lopped off the top of Sugarloaf Hill they would have had enough spoil to build an embankment instead of a viaduct.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#13
this all sounds like rather a long term and expensive problem.
major structural cracks can only mean long term closure for safety reasons.
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#14
They are suggesting publicly it wont be a quick fix already....
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
#15
Cowboy builders yet again this time by the Highways wonder if we can get refund on road tax for not being able to use our roads.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#16
To add insult to injury, a serious accident on the coastbound side about half a mile after the tunnels has got everything down to 1 lane and walking pace. It would appear that a van was hit by a foreign truck and has rolled over.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
#17
Noticed this morning that the Highways Agency's excellent work on Townwall Street is also now failing again. Remember, this is the road we were told wouldn't need attention again for many years. After numerous repairs, the bridge that spans the road over the River Dour once again has a number of very large dips in it. I wonder how long before this road is down to one lane as well? Would the last one out of Dover, please switch off the lights!
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
#18
It would be good for the system to grind to a halt this weekend as the big getaway begins. Perhaps someone would take notice then.