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Issued on behalf of the New Tyne Crossing
Thursday 17 January 2008
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| Major step forward in tunnel safety |
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The New Tyne Crossing will be the safest in the UK - thanks to a state-of-the-art active fire suppression system which is now included in its design.
The New Tyne Crossing project involves refurbishing the existing vehicle tunnel and upgrading its safety features and building a second vehicle tunnel under the River Tyne between East Howdon and Jarrow.
The new crossing - due be fully operational by late 2011 - will be the first in the UK to be fitted with the active fire suppression system, and will further ensure the safety of thousands of people who will travel through it every day.
The system will cost around £9.6 million over the lifetime of the project, and will make the crossing's safety rating one of the highest in Europe. It is expected that these new safety measures will form a potential ‘blue print’ for the design of future tunnels in the UK.
The active fire suppression system works by cooling the fire and surrounding area using a water mist system and, in doing so, significantly reduces the risk of the spread of fire and build up of smoke. It can also significantly reduce the extent of the fire damage and the time taken to restore the tunnel for use by traffic.
Dave Simpson, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s assistant chief fire officer, said “This is a major step forward in tunnel safety. In recent years, we have learned many lessons from the Tauern and St Gottard and Mont Blanc Tunnel fires in Europe, which led to serious loss of life. These also resulted in major financial losses and disruptions when the tunnels were closed following the fires. We don’t want history to be repeated.
“The Tyne Tunnel is a major part of the infrastructure of the North East and these new safety measures mean it will provide the safest crossing possible.”
Since 2001 Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has worked closely with the New Tyne Crossing's promoter, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (TWPTA) and has been part of the Tunnel Design Safety Consultation Group (TDSCG) which recommended that an active fire suppression system be installed. The New Tyne Crossing Project also includes a range of other fire safety measures such as a smoke ventilation system and specially protected evacuation passages in both the new and existing tunnel allowing people to evacuate safely in the event of a fire.
Paul Fenwick, project director of the New Tyne Crossing, said: “Safety and the integrity of the vehicle tunnel structures are of great importance to the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority as promoter of the New Tyne Crossing, and to TT2, the Concessionaire.
“The report undertaken by Halcrow into the cost-benefit of an active fire suppression system came out in favour, so we were happy to include this as part of the project.”
“This is a major investment in fire safety equipment and we would like to applaud the TWPTA for all their cooperation on this matter and wish them every success in delivering this significant improvement in road safety and the infrastructure of the North East,” continued Mr Simpson.
“We look forward to our continuing work with partners as members of the TDSCG in the future development of this project and in providing a safer community for the people of Tyne and Wear and for users of the New Tyne Crossing.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact the Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Service Corporate Communications Team on 0191 444 1542/1513.
Notes for editors:
Halcrow, specialists in the provision of planning, design and management services for infrastructure development worldwide, were commissioned to advise on whether the installation of a fire suppression system should be recommended.
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