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/traffic or 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.