§ Mr. EvennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on forthcoming closures of the Dartford tunnels for carriageway repairs.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 31 January 1991]: Investigations into the condition of the existing tunnels at Dartford are continuing. Until they are complete and have been evaluated, no forecast can be given of the extent and timing of any closures. If closure of one of the tunnels does become necessary, it will not happen until some time after the opening of the new bridge at the end of this summer. The increased capacity would then provide three lanes of traffic in each direction during any closure, 50 per cent. more than at present.