SE064-15 21 May 2015
New Dartford tunnel safety system launches next month
A new safety system that will help improve traffic flow at the Dartford Crossing will open for traffic over the weekend of 13-14 June.
The system is part of the Dart Charge project, which is speeding up journeys at the Crossing by removing the need to stop at a barrier to pay the crossing charge. It will identify, stop and turn around vehicles that may pose a safety risk – oversized or carrying dangerous loads – before they enter the tunnels, which run northbound from Kent into Essex.
It will also enable dangerous goods vehicles to be safely escorted through the tunnels and stop vehicles entering the tunnels in the event of an incident.
Dart Charge project director Nigel Gray said:
“Since Dart Charge launched in November it has already significantly improved journeys at the Dartford Crossing. This new safety system is vital for the safe operation of the tunnels and will enable us to remove the old payment barriers for good. It will mean a significant change to the road layout, so I advise drivers to take extra care and pay extra attention to all signs and signals, especially for the first few times they use the crossing following the change.”
Caption: An impression of the new system in action.
The new traffic safety system is part of changes being made to the road layout at the Crossing following the introduction of Dart Charge in November 2014. Final road layout changes will be complete later this summer when drivers will feel the full benefits of Dart Charge.
Tunnel closures will be required overnight during the go-live weekend to introduce the system. To minimise the disruption, one tunnel will remain open at all times.
Highways England’s video and leaflet explain how the new tunnel traffic safety system will operate.
Ends
How the system works
Signs on approach to the crossing clearly show the size restrictions and advise drivers of oversized vehicles or those carrying hazardous loads what route or lane to take. If they do not follow the instructions, the system identifies these vehicles in a number of ways and triggers a series of traffic signals and barriers to prevent the vehicle from entering the tunnel. It will then extract that vehicle as quickly as possible so other drivers can continue their journeys.
If the vehicle is detected in lanes 1 or 2 (the inside lanes), only those two lanes will be stopped allowing vehicles in lanes 3 or 4 (the outside lanes) to continue their journey without delay.
If the vehicle is detected in lanes 3 or 4 all lanes will be stopped so that the vehicle can be extracted to the left across lanes 1 and 2.
When northbound traffic is flowing normally, the barriers will be open and traffic lights on green as the default position. When a restricted vehicle is detected, the signals will turn to red and the barriers will lower to bring traffic to a stop.
All drivers must follow instructions on road signs, keep within speed limits, watch out for traffic signals and be prepared to stop if a red light shows. Average speed cameras and red light camera enforcement will be in operation.
What are the restrictions for the northbound tunnels?
The two tunnels at Dartford are different sizes having been opened almost 20 years apart. Restrictions are:
Height
• 4.8m (15’9’’) for lanes 1 and 2 (left hand lanes)
• 5.0m (16’6’’) for lanes 3 and 4 (right hand lanes)
Width and length
• Width – 9’00’’ (2.75m)
• Length – 61’6’’ (18.75m)
Vehicles exceeding these restrictions may still be able to use the Crossing, but will be classified as abnormal loads (see below).
Advice to drivers of tall vehicles
If you are driving a tall vehicle northbound, you need to ensure you get in the correct lane as soon as possible after junction 2. New signs now inform you which lane you must choose.
The northbound carriageway now divides just after the junction 1a exit slip road, with the two inside lanes (left-hand lanes) dedicated to the west tunnel (height restriction 4.8m) and two outside lanes (right-hand lanes) dedicated to the east tunnel (height restriction 5.0m). Vehicles joining at junction 1a can only access the two inside lanes and use the west tunnel.
Drivers who fail to use the correct lanes will be in violation of traffic regulations, will be turned around and could receive a fine or points on their driving licence.
Advice to drivers carrying hazardous materials or abnormal loads
When travelling northbound drivers of hazardous loads must continue to exit at junction 1a and follow the ‘hollow diamond’ symbol on signs to the vehicle marshalling area where they will be checked. The safety system will identify, stop and turn around drivers who fail to do this and they could receive a fine or points on their driving licence.
Once checked escorted goods will be directed via a dedicated lane to a forward holding bay to wait for a vehicle escort through the tunnels. Arrangements have changed for non-escorted goods who after being checked in the vehicle marshalling area will re-join the main carriageway via the A282 northbound junction 1a roundabout and entry slip road. This new arrangement will help ensure that the Crossing remains safe for all road users.
Our leaflet summarises the advice for drivers of goods vehicles about what lane or route to take.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Highways England is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
2. The Dart Charge project team is being led by Highways England. Connect Plus, a leading construction consortium and the Highways Agency’s main service provider for the M25, are carrying out the construction work associated with the project, and Dart Charge is administered by sanef, the scheme’s vehicle detection, charging and enforcement service provider.
3. Maintenance and improvement projects: We plan maintenance and improvement projects carefully to allow road works to be completed safely, in a cost effective way while keeping disruption to road users to a minimum. We do as much work as possible overnight and when roads are less busy in order to keep more lanes open for road users at peak travel times. Drivers are advised to check their route for road works and allow extra time for their journeys where needed. We have a variety of journey planning tools that road users can use to check travel conditions on the roads we manage, and we will do all we can to keep road users informed.
4. Safety at roadworks: Highways England is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:
- Keep within the speed limit – it is there for your safety.
- Get into the correct lane in good time – don’t keep switching.
- Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
- Be alert for works’ traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
- Keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front.
- Observe all signs – they are there to help you.
- And be alert for road workers, the roads are their workplace.
5. Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available:
- From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/trafficor from a phone or mobile device at m.highways.gov.uk
- By phone from the Highways England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 at any time. (Calls to 03 numbers are charged at no more than a national call to an 01 or 02 number and are included in all discount schemes and call allowances. This applies to all landlines, mobiles and payphones. Call costs will vary depending on your landline or mobile supplier.) Make sure it’s safe and legal before you call. Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.
- On Apple and Android mobile devices via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- From Twitter – there are eight feeds with live traffic information provided by region. For information on roads in the South East follow us at @HighwaysSEAST or for the full index visit www.highways.gov.uk/twitter.
Issued by Highways England.
For further information please contact the South East press office on 0300 470 1214. Media enquiries out of hours should be made to Highways England’s National Press Office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448.