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January 2008

New Tyne Crossing to be UK’s first road tunnel with fire suppression system

The New Tyne Crossing between East Howdon and Jarrow in Tyne and Wear is set to be the first road tunnel in the UK to have a fire suppression system.

The contract to build a second tunnel and refurbish the existing tunnel was awarded by Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (TWPTA) to a Bouygues-led Consortium on the 29 November 2007.

Halcrow was commissioned by Bouygues as independent expert to advise on whether the installation of a fire suppression system should be recommended or not. A cost-benefit model was developed and a number of possible fire scenarios were investigated.

Dr Fathi Tarada, Halcrow’s fire safety engineering director, explains, “Our work looked at the likely benefits of a fire suppression system including reductions in injuries and fatalities, minimising traffic delays, reduced attendance costs by the emergency services, and reductions in infrastructure repair costs. These benefits were then set against the capital and maintenance costs of the fire suppression system.” He continues, “Our findings indicate a 62% probability that installation of a fire suppression system would generate a positive return to society, with the majority of the benefit (71%) accruing from reductions in traffic delays.”

The New Tyne Crossing represents a £260 million investment in road infrastructure in Tyne & Wear. Work on the second vehicle tunnel is expected to start in spring 2008. The new tunnel will open in 2010, at which point the existing tunnel will be closed for refurbishment and safety works. Both tunnels are expected to be fully operational late 2011.

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