Blackwall blitz nets 54
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• Nearly two thirds of the commercial vehicles stopped by the Metropolitan police in a blitz last week on London's Blackwall Tunnel were operating illegally. Out of 80 vehicles checked, 54 were alleged to have been committing offences.
Fourteen were said to be overweight — nine are being prosecuted for this; 27 were inspected by Department of Transport officers who issued 12 prohibition orders. Two Continental drivers were arrested for vehicle defects, and four verbal warnings were given by Hazchem inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive. The police gave 24 warnings for minor offences.
All the vehicles were checked for weight, height, unsafe loads, contents (inflammable and explosive materials are banned from the tunnel), condition and tachograph offences.
Chief Inspector Dennis Vick, of East London's Traffic Division which instigated the checks, says: "The exercise was a success and will be repe ated on a regular basis. The results confirm there are too many commercial vehicles on the roads — particularly using the Blackwall Tunnel -which are unroadworthy."
The operation involved the Department of Transport, Customs and Excise, Health and Safety Executive and trading standards officers, with vehicle examiners from both East and South London Traffic Divisions.
Nearly 80,000 vehicles, including almost 20,000 CVs, use the Blackwall Tunnel in an average 24-hour period, making the route one of the busiest across London, says Vick. Only Runnymede Bridge on the M25 and the Dartford Tunnel carry more traffic, with around 110,000 vehicles apiece.
Northbound vehicles in the Blackwall tunnel have a height restriction of 4m and southbound 4.7m. "Drivers ignoring the restrictions cause horrendous traffic problems when they get stuck in the tunnel. Not only is it costly to repair, but it is dangerous and creates congestion all over the east side of London for many hours," says Vick.
"We are determined the regulations will be enforced — especially the nature of the loads being carried through — to ensure a smooth and safe flow of traffic," he asserts. E A 22.5 million traffic control centre is to be built near the Blackwall Tunnel.
By autumn 1991 it is scheduled to be controlling tidal traffic flow, traffic surveillance and variable message signs for East London, including Docklands and the proposed East London river crossing.