Gov apologises after Tunnel works cause town gridlock

Tuesday 04 July 2023

Government officials have apologised to islanders for the “inconvenience” after work on the Tunnel led hundreds of motorists to get stuck in queues stretching as far back as Georgetown.

The westbound lane of the Tunnel was shut while officials worked to upgrade the capacity of a sewage pipe transferring flows from the east of the island to the Sewage Treatment Works at Bellozanne.

While some signs were put up in advance of the project beginning and a notice shared on the Government website, many motorists were nonetheless caught off-guard by the closure, which left many roads in town gridlocked.

The Government’s Infrastructure and Environment (I&E) Department has since accepted that it could have done better.

A second pipe is being installed and the existing one is being upgraded.

These essential infrastructure upgrades will allow increased flow capacity and resilience against blockages.

At weekends (7pm Friday to 6.30am Monday) the Tunnel is closed to westbound traffic.
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— Infrastructure and Environment (@GovJsyIE) July 3, 2023

“…[The] team acknowledges that further public communications should have been issued and we apologise for any inconvenience caused,” a spokesperson said.

They also warned that the works are not due to finish until 24 July, but noted that I&E is “reviewing its traffic management plans and signage to see where improvements can be made.”

What next? 

“A second pipe is being installed and the existing one is being upgraded,” I&E explained.

“These essential infrastructure upgrades will allow increased flow capacity and resilience against blockages. 

“At weekends (19:00 Friday to 06:30 Monday), the Tunnel is closed to westbound traffic. 

“On weekdays, the Tunnel is open to traffic in both directions, however work continues in one of the westbound lanes at the western end, on the Commercial Buildings exit, and therefore delays are likely. 

“The south footpath in the Tunnel is closed throughout the work.”