DARTFORD TUNNEL FACILITIES
Page 72
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THE Road Haulage Association has asked the Dartford Tunnel' authorities to amend their regulations to cover the transit of the longer vehicles now permitted by the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations.
A memorandum to members of the highways and vehicles committee and the heavy haulage and machinery carriers' functional group national committee states that no attempt is made by the tunnel staff to measure vehicles and their loads. Vehicles and trailers of reasonable length which can negotiate the slight bends in the tunnel are permitted to proceed without delay.
Abnormally long loads, say in excess of 90 ft, may need an escort and could be subject to slight delay while arrangements were made, A reasonable charge would be made to cover the cost. Loads of such lengths, says the memorandum, should be notified to. the tunnel authorities in writing at least six clear days before arrival at the tunnel area. In an
c36 emergency permission could be obtained by telephone.
Abnormally wide loads present a difficulty because of the total carriageway width of 21 ft. in a two-way tunnel. The maximum width for vehicles permitted to pass through without notification is 8 ft. in. The maximum permitted height is limited to 16 ft. by the dimensions of the tunnel.
Loads up to 8 ft. 6 in. wide are permitted to use the tunnel at any time without extra charge. For loads between 8 ft. 6 in. and 9 ft. 6 in. which require an escort and the partial clearance of the tunnel during transit, a special fee is charged of £5 during the day and £3 between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. in the winter and 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. in the summer.
The tunnel has to he closed completely for loads wider than 9 ft. 6 in. and special arrangements are made for an escort. For such loads the charge is €25 by day and £15 by night. These charges, says the memorandum, are based on a fair assessment of the cost to the tunnel authorities, not only in respect of the escorts and additional staff needed to clear the tunnel, but also to help meet the cost of the heavy-duty breakdown equipment which must be made available to deal with all types of vehicle using the tunnel.
The tunnel authorities have not been able to meet the request from the R.H..A. ;that receipts should be issued as proof that a driver had used the tunnel. Books of pre-paid tickets are available, however, for issue to drivers using the tunnel. These tickets protect the operator against a claim for reimbursement from a driver who has, in fact, used a different route. They have unlimited life and operators may use spaces provided on the reverse of the ticket to keep a record of vehice numbers and dates.
Special arrangements are made to escort tankers through the tunnel, where possible in short convoys, when they are carry jog i nflam ma hie or clan gerous materiais.