Travel advice as Saltash Tunnel works continue

National Highways said the current tidal lane traffic system at Saltash Tunnel has been switched off

Drivers are being asked to plan ahead for their journeys due to ongoing works to the Saltash tunnel.

National Highways said the current tidal lane traffic system has been switched off and, in the meantime, fixed lanes had been implemented for safety reasons until new technology was installed.

The company said its teams were doing everything they could to "minimise disruption" for users of the tunnel and Tamar bridge.

Works on the 37-year-old tunnel is part of its £25m refurbishment scheme which bosses said had been progressing.

Tunnel manager Julian Mitchell said they had implemented new traffic management, for "safety reasons".

"We appreciate the tidal flow switch-off will have an impact on people's journey times, although our current monitoring, including the May bank holidays, suggests only slight delays," he said.

"In the meantime, we advise people to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys, especially those from Cornwall into Devon."

He also thanked drivers for their patience while the traffic management was in place.

National Highways said the overhaul of the tunnel and traffic control system technology was due to start later in the summer, but due to the system detecting irregular faults in traffic signalling, the process had to be accelerated.

It said: "The tunnel has functioning safety systems and CCTV in place, and daytime traffic is now using two lanes westbound through the tunnel and on the Tamar Bridge and one eastbound lane through the tunnel and over the bridge with the cantilever link for local traffic and Tamar Tag holders."

"As an additional safety measure, traffic signals have been installed at Tamar Bridge, the eastbound approach to the tunnel and the tunnel entrances.

"These lights are not in day-to-day use but will enable National Highways to close lanes in the event of a breakdown or incident."

It said during the ongoing overnight tunnel closures, traffic would continue to follow the standard B3271 and North Road diversion routes.