THERE are fears that Saltash will face gridlock, and its hard-pressed businesses even further hardship, when remedial work begins on the cracks in the Saltash tunnel.

Public consultations are to be held to discuss the refurbishment works which are to take place in the tunnel as soon as the current work to widen and strengthen the Tamar Bridge comes to an end. Cornwall county council has said it is possible that tunnel work could begin in late 2002 and last for a period of several months.

Chairman of Saltash Chamber of commerce and industry, Bob Frost, said he feared there would be serious consequences due to disruption caused by the remedial works.

Local MP, Colin Breed, has called on the Highways Agency to go back to the designers and builders of the tunnel and demand they foot the bill for the repairs. He explained: 'This is the gateway to Cornwall and must be kept in good repair. It is vital that any work that is carried out causes as little disruption as possible to motorists and businesses in Saltash. Saltash businesses have already faced much disruption with current bridge works and the recent tunnel landslide.'

Diversion routes

The town council meeting heard that when contractors are working in the tunnel two lanes will be closed, the remaining lane to be allocated to inbound or outbound traffic. It is not certain at this stage when the tunnel will be closed completely for the works. Diversion routes will be put in place, and anyone affected by such diversions will be able to attend the public meeting. Mr Frost, of Prestige Electronics, urged everyone with concerns to make sure they did attend such meetings, and said the Chamber would be putting its point of view across very loudly.

In a letter to Saltash town clerk Cornwall county council explained that during weekday morning peak periods inbound and outbound flows through the tunnel approach 2,000 and l,000 vehicles per hour respectively. Numbers in the evening peak period are similar, but with outbound traffic from Plymouth dominating. Between the peak periods about l,000 vehicles per hour in each direction use the tunnel.

During the diversions the current widening and strengthening of the Tamar bridge will provide an additional traffic lane through a cantilever construction on both sides of the existing main deck.

The consultation period given regarding the tunnel works was extremely tight, ending on October 20, which led to adverse comments at the council meeting.