When will A55 Conwy Tunnels reopen after devastating fire
The images of smoke billowing out of one of the Conwy tunnels caused shock today and the immediate impact on the road network was devastating. It is understood that the blaze started when a mobile crane caught fire in the westbound lanes.
A motorist described the scary moment they went past the smoking vehicle. The positive is that despite the dramatic stories and images there were no fatalities.
The crane driver, police and other emergency services - as well as the actions of other motorists - have been praised for that immediate response that prevented a disaster becoming a tragedy.
But as of this evening both the eastbound and westbound tunnels remain closed - resulting in major disruption continuing.
The question will now be how long will the tunnels remain closed.
The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said earlier today that "Due to the scale of the incident and the need for ongoing safety assessments, the Conwy Tunnel remains closed in both directions and is expected to remain closed for a significant amount of time.
"Detailed inspections will need to be carried out to determine the extent of any damage before the tunnel can be safely reopened."
Earlier this evening they then posted that "We anticipate that there will be significant disruption for the next few days, and motorists are being advised to allow additional time for their journeys and to keep up to date with the latest traffic and travel information via Traffic Wales."
Given that the fire took place in the westbound tunnel it is safely assumed the road will reopen in the eastbound direction first. A major meeting was taking place this evening between all the relevant parties - including the Welsh Government, police and fire service.
That eastbound reopening could take place in the coming hours or potentially a day or two but it is understood that when it comes to the westbound lanes this will be significantly longer. It is without doubt that it will impact this weekend at a minimum - something holidaymakers will need to be aware of.
The final timescale will depend on inspections now taking place. But there are unconfirmed reports of a closure westbound for several weeks - impacting the busy summer period.
In this situation it is likely a contraflow will be set up - with single lanes in each direction in the eastbound tunnel. That in itself will cause major traffic issues this summer and also be vulnerable to any incidents causing considerable chaos.
As well as the significant impact to locals it would be a potential blow to tourism over the key summer holidays.
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Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Everything we know about A55 Conwy Tunnel fire as disruption could last 'for days'
Everything we know about A55 Conwy Tunnel fire as disruption could last 'for days' A major incident was declared by the fire service and there was travel chaos across north Wales as a result of the fire and thick smoke Drivers were advised to stay in their vehicles due to the smoke (Image: Marcus Copeland ) A huge fire which saw smoke billowing from the A55 Conwy Tunnel and a major incident being declared could cause disruption for the coming days, the fire service has said. After the blaze broke out on Thursday afternoon (June 19) there were huge tailbacks on the A55 and surrounding roads as drivers sought alternative routes. The road was closed in both directions near Conwy until the early hours of Friday morning. However, drivers still face disruption as the westbound carriageway remains closed from J19 to J17. According to traffic monitoring site Inrix, traffic can use the eastbound tunnel via a contraflow system. North Wales Live understands that a crane vehicle burst into flames inside the tunnel shortly after 2pm. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Article continues below By 3.42pm, the fire had been declared a 'major incident' by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. In a statement, the service said: 'We're working with multi-agency partners to control the fire, protect the environment and re-open the tunnel as soon as it's safe to do so.' It's thought the tunnel fire involved a crane truck (Image: Eira D'Arcy ) North Wales Police initially urged all motorists caught up in queues to 'stay in their vehicles due to heavy smoke in the area'. One driver described how he emerged from Conwy Tunnel to see smoke billowing into the sky. In an update at 5.30pm, the fire service said the fire had been brought under control. Here is everything we know so far about the major incident: What have the emergency services said? The latest update from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, released at 6pm on Thursday, June 19, says: A multi-agency response is underway following a major incident involving a vehicle fire in the Conwy Tunnel on the westbound A55. The fire was reported at 13:48, and emergency services are working together at the scene. "The fire is now under control, and we can confirm that there have been no fatalities. "Due to the scale of the incident and the need for ongoing safety assessments, the Conwy Tunnel remains closed in both directions and is expected to remain closed for a significant amount of time. Detailed inspections will need to be carried out to determine the extent of any damage before the tunnel can be safely re-opened. "We are aware of the severe disruption that has been caused and that traffic along the A55 has been affected, however diversions are in place. Roads in and around the Colwyn Bay, Conwy, Llanrwst and Betws-y-Coed areas are extremely busy at this time – including nearby villages, and we urge motorists to allow plenty of time for their travels. "We anticipate that there will be significant disruption for the next few days, and motorists are being advised to allow additional time for their journeys and to keep up to date with the latest traffic and travel information via Traffic Wales. "We are urging the public to: Keep windows and doors closed if you live nearby, as a precaution due to smoke in the area. Avoid the area, there are significant delays on the A55 and surrounding routes. Use the strategic diversion route. "We thank the public for their continued patience and cooperation as agencies work together to manage the situation safely and effectively." The view from Conwy Marina (Image: North Wales Live ) Was anybody injured? There were fears that people might have been trapped inside the tunnel as smoke billowed out. 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It was scary as I thought it may explode and wanted to get out of the tunnel." Another driver told North Wales Live that there was "smoke everywhere" and emergency messages playing in the tunnel. Marcus Copeland said: "We were coming back from Anglesey when we saw some white smoke coming from the tunnel, then lots of thick black smoke started coming out. We were the closest vehicle to the tunnel at that point, so we pulled over into a slip road and walked up the bank, there was acrid black smoke everywhere. It was really bad. "You could here audio messages in the tunnel telling people to leave their vehicles and walk out. There are lots of police and fire engines at the scene. "Cars were being turned round the wrong way on the A55 to come off and we are the last car coming off down a slip road. Looking behind us you can see the A55 is empty, apart from wagons and buses which are also now being turned around. There is still lots of black smoke. "It is really hot and whatever caused the fire, it could have been caused by the heat." Article continues below
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Groe footpath in Builth Wells to be partly closed next month
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North Wales Live
11 hours ago
- North Wales Live
When will A55 Conwy Tunnels reopen after devastating fire
The images of smoke billowing out of one of the Conwy tunnels caused shock today and the immediate impact on the road network was devastating. It is understood that the blaze started when a mobile crane caught fire in the westbound lanes. A motorist described the scary moment they went past the smoking vehicle. The positive is that despite the dramatic stories and images there were no fatalities. The crane driver, police and other emergency services - as well as the actions of other motorists - have been praised for that immediate response that prevented a disaster becoming a tragedy. But as of this evening both the eastbound and westbound tunnels remain closed - resulting in major disruption continuing. The question will now be how long will the tunnels remain closed. The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said earlier today that "Due to the scale of the incident and the need for ongoing safety assessments, the Conwy Tunnel remains closed in both directions and is expected to remain closed for a significant amount of time. "Detailed inspections will need to be carried out to determine the extent of any damage before the tunnel can be safely reopened." Earlier this evening they then posted that "We anticipate that there will be significant disruption for the next few days, and motorists are being advised to allow additional time for their journeys and to keep up to date with the latest traffic and travel information via Traffic Wales." Given that the fire took place in the westbound tunnel it is safely assumed the road will reopen in the eastbound direction first. A major meeting was taking place this evening between all the relevant parties - including the Welsh Government, police and fire service. That eastbound reopening could take place in the coming hours or potentially a day or two but it is understood that when it comes to the westbound lanes this will be significantly longer. It is without doubt that it will impact this weekend at a minimum - something holidaymakers will need to be aware of. The final timescale will depend on inspections now taking place. But there are unconfirmed reports of a closure westbound for several weeks - impacting the busy summer period. In this situation it is likely a contraflow will be set up - with single lanes in each direction in the eastbound tunnel. That in itself will cause major traffic issues this summer and also be vulnerable to any incidents causing considerable chaos. As well as the significant impact to locals it would be a potential blow to tourism over the key summer holidays.
