Innovative tech to improve Saltash Tunnel safety

A scheme to introduce new technology into the Saltash Tunnel is due to start next week.

The scheme will see the incident detection system within the A38 tunnel upgraded, which will provide quicker and more reactive detection of vehicle fires and other incidents.

Some 5,000m of cable – equivalent to 415 double decker buses – will be installed inside the 410m long tunnel. New state-of-the-art technology inside the 30 year-old tunnel will include Wayfinder emergency evacuation signs, and separate smoke and heat detection systems, all aligned to the public address system to direct drivers to the safest tunnel exit in the event of an incident.

The new improvements will link into the current system to ensure drivers are alerted quicker and help Highways England and the emergency services to react quicker in responding to any potential incidents via the Tamar Bridge control room.

Highways England spokesman Julian Strong said: “The current detection system is still operational but this essential upgrade is needed to meet current standards, and the work to integrate the different systems is innovative.

“This will enable automatic detection, without the risk of false alarms, and make the tunnel as safe as possible for all those who use it.”

The £1.2M scheme, financed from Highways England’s Innovation Fund, will start on Monday, 26 November 2018 and is scheduled to be completed in the spring.

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