Tunnel to close while landslip monitors installed

A road tunnel is to close for nearly a month to allow landslip monitoring equipment to be installed as part of ongoing safety works.

Surveys and investigations have been continuing at Beaminster tunnel in Dorset after part of the embankment collapsed in February.

Dorset Council said work would take place from Monday 9 November until 4 December, and had been timed to avoid the wet winter months when there was an increased risk of ground movement.

The scheme will also include new traffic signals, vegetation clearance, cleaning, resurfacing and work to reduce the risk of future landslips.

The technology will continuously monitor the embankment above the tunnel, providing an early warning of any ground movement, and is part of a long-term plan to protect the route and reduce the risk of disruption.

A signed diversion route using alternative A roads will be in place. All adjoining B roads leading into Beaminster will remain open.

Place services councillor Jack Jeanes said: "The new monitoring technology will give us much better information about how the embankment is behaving, helping us identify any changes at an early stage and manage the site more effectively over the long term.

"Alongside that, we're carrying out repairs and strengthening work that will improve the resilience of the tunnel and reduce the risk of more significant problems developing in the future.

"We will also trial new more reliable traffic signals than the temporary signals currently in place."

In July 2012, a large landslip at Beaminster tunnel killed Rosemary Snell, 67, and Michael Rolfe, 72, in their car.

The tunnel remained closed for a year, reopening after £2.1m of repairs.