40 mph limit unnecessarily

Updates

• Our Tunnel Manager who has explained when the tunnel was designed it was determined that the safest operation for an obstruction within Hindhead Tunnel would be to either close the affected lane or to close the entire the bore. Although the visible obstruction (usually a motor vehicle) will show in a particular location, there is the risk that the driver of the vehicle is either in a safety niche or cross-passageway, or walking through the bore to the exit. To ensure road user safety, the lane is closed to provide maximum protection to any person who may not be immediately visible to the road user but may appear unexpectedly beside the closed lane. Additionally, there is the concern that if only a part of the lane should be closed, once past the closed section, drivers would move into the now reopened lane at differing locations and speeds and create a greater hazard where merging of traffic is uncontrolled. From these considerations at the design stage, the signage in place at Hindhead Tunnel cannot be operated individually but are part of a range of pre-set plans that are implemented by the Control Room.

  In the case of the reduced speed limit on the 18th December 2020, scheduled tunnel works had been occurring in a contraflow environment overnight and were programmed to end on the morning of the 18th. The register for recording closures of Hindhead Tunnel shows the reduced speed limit was lifted at 06:28 on the morning of the 18th. Although the contraflow had been removed, a precautionary reduced speed limit remained in place slightly longer than intended while the maintenance team checked and confirmed all communications to the installed technology was operating to the standard required by the Tunnel Control Room.

  The use of a Radar Incident Detection System was installed within Hindhead Tunnel in its construction and these radar have the ability to implement a reduced speed limit automatically if they detect a hazard. When the radar activates the reduced speed limit, the Control Room will confirm from CCTV if a hazard is present or if the alert is a false alarm. If a false alarm is detected, the reduced speed limit will be cancelled returning the bore to national speed limit.

  This can give rise to 40mph speed limits being in force for no apparent reason while the operator checks for both hazards and a possible cause if no hazard is apparent. There are instances when a reduced speed limit may be implemented when no reason is apparent to the road user; this can occasionally be due to an issue with the technology itself or it can be mitigation for an incident that, although has no immediate impact on the tunnel operation, does have the potential to compromise road user safety.

  Kind regards

  Highways England

  Posted by at 11:35, Mon 1 February 2021

• Again, the 40mph speed limit is being activated for absolutely no reason whatsoever. since the end of last week and every morning this week, the tunnel northbound is reduced to 40mph for absolutely no reason. I enter the tunnel every morning at around 615 northbound. Furthermore, I note there is a van with his amber beacon flashing within the barriers on the entry to the northbound tunnel. This causes unnecessary obstruction and I consider it a safety risk

  Posted anonymously at 08:16, Wed 3 February 2021

• Why on earth was it necessary to display a 20mph limit on the A28, Brooksend hill to St Nicholas, in Kent today. There is an advance warning about resurfacing for tomorrow, but the placed signs were active and not covered as would have been appropriate. It stated workforce in road, which was inaccurate, driving along this stretch of duel carriageway at 20 was just dangerous. I had closing vehicles at more than double my speed as they already knew the signs were wrong. Once I could see there was no workforce in the road, I decided it was safer to travel faster to avoid a collision. Can you explain why the signs were not covered as they had clearly been placed out earlier than necessary

  Posted anonymously at 22:58, Fri 22 July 2022

• Why is there a 40mph limit on the north bound carriageway with no work being conducted or any cones etc. South bound carriageway open as normal

  Posted anonymously at 16:44, Wed 11 October 2023

• Why the 40mph speed limit on the northbound side of the Hindhead tunnel? There are roadworks due to start there in a few weeks but none that are published to be taking place at the moment. As well as the electronic speed limit signs there are also two metal 40mph signs, but no cones or other traces of work being conducted. The future roadworks are planned to be taking place overnight, which usually means that the tunnel is fully reopened on both sides and the speed limit goes back up to 70mph- so why the metal signs for any future work and why the reduced speed limit now when works are not actually taking place?

  Posted anonymously at 09:16, Fri 13 October 2023

• Why is there a 40mph on hindhead tunnel for the last ten days?

  Posted anonymously at 16:23, Friday 5 July 2024

• Still a 40 mph limit in Hindhead tunnel going north bojnd for no reason. This must be the most expensive maintained tunnel in existence. There are weekly lanes closed. Especially on a Wednesday evening. How is it that the French, Spanish, and Italian's don't have yo keep playing with maintanance on their mountain tunnels. Or is it thatia company has a well paid contract yo maintain the Hindhead Tunnel

  Posted anonymously at 06:49, Friday 12 July 2024

• Still a 40mph restriction continuous for over a month on the northbound tunnel !!!! Something to do with irregular lighting? How many incompetent people are in charge of this tunnel ?

  Posted anonymously at 07:30, Tuesday 23 July 2024

• 40mph north with no works or obstructions for the last few weeks. This is bullshit

  Posted anonymously at 14:39, Saturday 27 July 2024

• Still 40mph northbound through the tunnel, still no reason, get a grip NH

  Posted by pete myles at 11:33, Thursday 8 August 2024

• What is going on with the Northbound A3 through the Hindhead tunnel. Still 40mph daytime restriction and NO work going on.

  Posted anonymously at 20:44, Tuesday 13 August 2024

• Why is the 40 mph on the North bound section of the Hindhead tunnel still in place? This is utter rubbish and deserves an explanation! Sort your act out.

  Posted anonymously at 13:44, Sunday 18 August 2024

• The work on the northbound Hindhead tunnel was due to be finished by mid-August, but is still apparently going on. What is being done to end this delay?

  Posted anonymously at 17:11, Thursday 29 August 2024

• Unbelievable that in this technically efficient age , nobody in the Hindhead tunnel management can flick the switch from 40 mph to 70 mph .!!! Now months of supposedly trying to fix a problem , Annoying enough when 40mph imposed when a gorse bush being trimmed way up the embankment and half mile beyond the tunnel !!!

  Posted anonymously at 12:13, Friday 20 September 2024

• It might help all to give a date when the 40mph north bound speed limit is going to end. It is not clear why south bound is national speed limit and north 40mph.

  No signs of any work what’s so ever, I pass through the tunnel every 3 days

  Posted anonymously at 02:45, Monday 14 October 2024

• Why is the Northbound Hindhead Tunnel still 40mph (16/10/24).

  No external works appear to be ongoing. Its was scheduled to return to 70mph months ago.

  Posted anonymously at 12:47, Wednesday 16 October 2024

• Why is the northbound A3 tunnel at Hindhead Still 40mphwith no works going on inside the tunnel?!?!?! Is National Highways incompetant?

  Posted anonymously at 14:23, Monday 28 October 2024