MPs demand answers after Dartford tunnel damaged

Two Labour MPs have demanded answers as to how an over-height vehicle was able to cause significant damage to one of tunnels of the Dartford Crossing.

The left tunnel - which takes northbound traffic from Kent to Essex - was closed for more than 30 hours after being struck by the vehicle.

National Highways thanked motorists for their patience while "extensive" repairs were carried out to fire safety systems, overhead fans and CCTV equipment.

But Jim Dickson, MP for Dartford, has written to the agency calling for "a full and urgent investigation" and an apology - which has been backed by his Thurrock counterpart Jen Craft.

National Highways said the vehicle damaged "critical systems" along the left tunnel's entire 0.8 mile (1.29km) length when the incident happened just before midday on Friday.

The left tunnel - which reopened at 20:00 on Saturday - is for vehicles as high as 4.8m (15ft 9in). The right tunnel accommodates slightly larger vehicles of up to 5m (16ft 6in) in height.

The agency told the BBC that height restrictions are "clearly signed well in advance", and ignoring the signs "is an offence".

The driver allegedly failed to stop afterwards.

Sensors, traffic signals and barriers were announced in 2015, which National Highways says can stop oversized or hazardous vehicles before they enter the tunnels.

Dickson told the BBC the damage was "simply unacceptable".

"Residents need to be reassured that this will not happen again - lessons must be learnt," the Dartford MP said.

Craft said it was "quite astounding" that an over-height vehicle was able to enter the tunnel.

"I've visited the crossing control and it seems like they have really good procedures in place to prevent that from happening, but clearly on this occasion it just didn't work," she said.

"I certainly will want to know what [National Highways] will be doing to make sure that it doesn't happen again."

Motorists experienced delays of up to two hours while engineers repaired the systems, which National Highways said were "essential to the safe operation of the tunnel".

The agency said the incident was being investigated and Kent Police said its own inquiry was ongoing.

Sean Martell, from National Highways, said: "We recognise the frustration this closure caused for road users, but the safety of everyone who uses and works on our road network must always remain our highest priority."

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