Roundhill tunnels reason
- 13 July 2011 09:29114546heard the amn on radio kent and they are investigating the reason , as this does not normally happen
let me give you a clue of something unusal about 4 years ago
THE EARTHQUAKE , certain gave folkestone a shaking and perhaps now we are seeing where anything got weaken - 18 July 2011 15:32115353the indefatigable graham tutthill posts this on kent online.
The government and Highways Agency are being urged to take immediate action to repair one of the main roads leading to the Port of Dover.
There have been lengthy delays on the A20 at the Roundhill tunnels at Folkestone where expansion joints have failed on the viaduct. But nothing is likely to be done for several months, possibly until the end of the year.
The road has been restricted to one lane on both carriageways.
Dover Harbour Board and the three ferry operators, P&O Ferries, DFDS Seaways and SeaFrance, are jointly calling on the government and the Highways Agency to take swift action ahead of the main summer holiday period.
They are warning that not dealing with the problem quickly enough could lead to severe congestion on a daily basis, making the situation worse than Operation Stack for local residents.
"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," said the operators in a joint statement.
"Tourist traffic is predicted to increase by 50 per cent this weekend with more than a quarter of a million passengers expected to travel by ferry via Dover during this busy start to the school holidays."
The port and ferry operators are calling on the Highways Agency to order and install temporary bridging units in order that both lanes of each carriageway can be re-opened "as a matter of urgency". - 18 July 2011 15:42115356Yes have been caught up in these delays a couple of times over the last week or so and it is extremely frustrating to say the least. Tried dodging around the back roads but everyone else had the same idea
Hope they get something in place before the mad rush this coming weekend. - 18 July 2011 16:07115362The Highways Agency should change signage around the M25 to direct Dover traffic down the A2/M2 corridor. A lot of satnavs do that anyway, depending on how they are set up, but we really need to split the traffic 50/50 between the two routes to relieve pressure on the A20.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 18 July 2011 17:12115385As I have mentioned on another thread on this subject, there will be major chaos on the M20/A20 this weekend as the school holidays begin. It beggars belief that the main artery to the country's leading ro-ro port and the Channel Tunnel can be left in this state for so long. Another example of the national indifference shown to the country's infrastructure. My advice to anyone living in Dover and Folkestone is to stay at home on Friday evening and Saturday. The M20/A20 will be completely gridlocked, as will all the peripheral roads as the locals seek alternatives.
- 18 July 2011 17:27115387there was another thread kevin, i found this one first as i was too lazy to check back and find the original started by paul wells i think.
- 18 July 2011 18:27115404No problem, Howard. I think the more information that we put out about this, the better! We need to apply as much pressure as possible on the "powers that be" to actually do something! As you can tell, this is the sort of issue that makes me rage against the machine.....
- 12 August 2011 09:51120095I've just received this regarding the RoundHill tunnels:
A20 Roundhill Viaduct Joint Failure - Update
We are writing on behalf of the Highways Agency to give a further update on traffic management plans for the A20 Roundhill Viaduct.
We have been reviewing traffic flows since the changes made in July and looking at how we can address the most significant congestion which is occurring on the coastbound carriageway.
We have designed a temporary solution to allow two lanes to be opened up on this carriageway and will be putting this in place over the next week to improve traffic flows. The second lane will be a narrow lane, only to be used by vehicles under 6 foot 6 inches wide.
Work to make these changes will begin during the planned Roundhill Tunnel maintenance closure occurring overnight between 8pm and 6am on Thursday 11 August, and a further closure will take place on Friday 12 August .
The normal diversion routes for Roundhill Tunnel closures will be in place for these nights, with traffic exiting at junction 13, being diverted via the A259 and the A260 to rejoin the A20 at Alkham Valley.
This will then be followed by closures next week, on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 August, and a further possible closure on Wednesday 17 to complete the works if needed.
The closure on Monday 15 August will need to be from junction 12 to allow the current traffic management on the approach to the viaduct to be removed. This closure will be from 12am until 6am. Vehicles will be directed to exit at junction 12, travel along Cheriton High Street, turn left onto Cherry Garden Avenue, then right onto Churchill Avenue. They will then be directed to turn left onto the A260 Canterbury Road, to rejoin the A20 at Alkham Valley. Vehicles wishing to join at junction 13 coastbound will also be directed to use this route.
Two lanes will then be open to traffic travelling coastbound from Tuesday 16 August. However, a further closure will be needed that night, and possibly on Wednesday 17 August as well. These will both use the standard Roundhill Tunnel diversion route described above between 8pm and 6am.
We apologise for the short notice of these closures, but are keen to get the second lane in operation as soon as possible now that this solution has been designed.
The closures are needed in order to install the bridging system to allow the second lane to be opened up, and to make the necessary changes to road markings, traffic management and signage at the site.
There are no works planned for the Londonbound carriageway at this time. However, please be assured that we will continue to monitor traffic flows in this direction.
The funding for the replacement of the joints has been authorised, and the design for this has been initiated. Unfortunately, we have been advised that procurement, manufacture and installation of the specific type of joint required will take between 5 to 6 months, and so it is unlikely that full completion of the works will be achieved before the new year. However, we will obviously do all we can to reduce this amount of time.
We hope that you will notice a marked improvement in traffic flows once the additional lane is in use on the coastbound carriageway, and appreciate your continued patience.
If you need any further information please contact our Customer Care Line on 0845 6000414, or write to us at either area4@bbmmjv.com or Highways Agency, c/o Balfour Beatty Mott MacDonald, 10 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, Kent, ME19 4AR.
Yours faithfully,
The Communications Team
On behalf of the Highways Agency
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is a full lane not being installed rather than a narrow one?
We have been working on a revised temporary solution that will provide 2 lanes for traffic to use safely. We are confident that the solution we are proceeding with will have a significant impact on improving congestion on the coastbound carriageway, even though it involves the use of one narrow lane,
2. Why has this additional lane not been installed before now?
As mentioned above, we needed time to design this solution and are now implementing it as soon as we possibly can in order to get 2 lanes in use on the coastbound carriageway.
3. Why are the works not being carried out on consecutive nights to allow the additional lane to be opened up sooner?
We are making use of the planned tunnel closure this week in order to minimise inconvenience for the travelling public. A closure is being added to this on Friday 12 August to ensure that the majority of the works are completed, and the further dates are planned to coincide with delivery of the further materials needed to complete the works. The lane will be opened up to traffic as soon as we are able to.
4. Will this new arrangement stay in place until the permanent repairs are carried out?
We intend to leave this new arrangement in place, however it will require regular monitoring to ensure that it is providing an effective solution and to maintain it as necessary.
Roger - 12 August 2011 11:45120118thanks for that roger, a very detailed statement from the highways agency.
good to see the bit about the frequently asked questions. - 12 August 2011 16:22120204Thanks Howard - I thought the FAQs were useful too.
Roger - 14 November 2011 11:27136706they have finally got the vital part to effect repairs to the viaduct, work is now starting and will continue until january.
one carriageway will be closed at night until then. - 14 November 2011 12:17136714Let's hope they also manufactured a spare part so that they're a little more prepared next time. Only in the UK could we allow such a riddiculous state of affairs to prevail with regards to our infrastructure.
- 14 November 2011 12:45136725Couldn't agree more Kevin.
Roger - 14 November 2011 17:19136774Sorry but that will not happen it is done under a patten number,so it can only be done by that overseas company
- 14 November 2011 17:25136777surely they can order as many as they like from the same patent number?
they are not copying them after all. - 14 November 2011 17:34136779They can do that Howard,but at what cost,it might have had a five year warrant on it, if that be the case they might have got them done without any payment,I do not know.
- 24 November 2011 20:57138780Today there was actually TWO lanes open westbound with the 5mph speed bump in both lanes..... a start in the right direction....Been nice knowing you :)