UK launches M25 Bell Common Tunnel upgrade

Published: 05-Mar-2010

The UK Transport Minister, Chris Mole officially opened the GBP91 million ($137.10 million) scheme to upgrade the Bell Common Tunnel on the M25 in Essex.

The project - which has been completed two months ahead of schedule, is part of a major government investment to improve journey time reliability and safety on Europe's busiest motorway.

The Highways Agency has resurfaced the carriageway through the 515 meter-long tunnel and installed improved lighting and ventilation. Fire safety systems have also been replaced. CCTV cameras to help traffic officers spot and clear up incidents in the tunnel more quickly have also been installed.

Chris Mole officially opened the refurbished Bell Common Tunnel at a ceremony on the top of the tunnel, between junctions 26 and 27 of the M25 near Epping, and attended by local community leaders and members of the project team.Work began in October 2008 and has been completed two months ahead of schedule.

The Highways Agency has made provision for further increasing capacity in the tunnel in preparation for the planned roll-out of hard shoulder running between junctions 23 and 27. Work is due to begin on this scheme by 2015.

Although the refurbishment of the Bell Common Tunnel is complete, final communications equipment linking it with the Regional Control Centre at South Mimms will take place for the next month, with some overnight lane closures while the testing is carried out.

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