§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date the Highways Agency staged the mock accident in the George Green Tunnel, Wanstead; what the results were; and if he will make a statement. [87278]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonA limited staged incident was held on 28 May 1999 in the George Green Tunnel. It was arranged to give the London Fire Brigade the opportunity to react to and deal with a mock accident within the tunnel, before it is opened to traffic. In addition a smoke generator was employed to confirm that smoke from an incident would dissipate from the tunnel. Both 405W exercises were carried out successfully and the Highways Agency is expecting to receive a copy of the fire brigade's report on the exercise in due course.
A full staged incident, involving all the emergency services, will be undertaken after the whole of the A12 Hackney to M11 Link Road works are completed in the autumn. Staged incidents are carried out as a normal part of the Highways Agency's safety procedures and in this tunnel, are likely to be repeated every few years.