Work to refurbish the tunnel is part of a �7.5m project

South East Cornwall MP Colin Breed raised the issue of the Saltash Tunnel in a House of Commons debate.

He believes taxpayers should not foot the bill for a major refurbishment of the tunnel because he says it was badly designed in the first place.

But Transport Minister David Jamieson said he thought Mr Breed's approach to the repair work was very unhelpful.

Work to refurbish the tunnel, which provides a vital transport link on the A38 between Devon and Cornwall, is part of a �7.5m project.

Cracks in the permanent lining of the tunnel began to appear before it even opened in 1988.

Colin Breed has long-campaigned over problems with the tunnel

Motorists then began to notice the cracks steadily growing worse, but work is now under way to cover them over with a coated steel lining.

Mr Breed said: "The first impression for an awful lot of people coming into Cornwall is very nice, coming across the Tamar Bridge and looking down on the beautiful River Tamar.

"But then they are plunged into what must be one of the worst tunnels in the country.

"We have suffered a decade or more from an inferior construction and now we are being asked to pay for something which should have been done and charged to the contractors."

'Cosmetic problem'

Mr Jamieson admitted the tunnel had not been very nice to look at, but he stressed it was a cosmetic problem and not a structural one.

Mr Jamieson said: "We could look back and call in blame, but I am not sure that is terribly helpful in the circumstances.

"We now need to look at the way forward.

"What Mr Breed needs to know is will this tunnel be fit for its purpose, will it get holidaymakers and people travelling to work to and from their destinations, and is it going to look good?"