Mersey Tunnel users thanked for their patience as the Queensway Tunnel re-opens following essential works

• Improvements made to drainage systems and road surfaces
• Works took advantage of reduced traffic during lockdown

A programme of extensive maintenance and additional works were carried out during the six-day closure by Merseytravel, requiring road excavations and major electrical works.

These works included:

• Replacement of crossroad drainage and gullies at the portals (entrance and exits) of the tunnel
• Electrical surveys and installation of cabling to support future projects
• Partial road resurfacing
• Major cleaning of road surfaces, refuges and the tunnel gulley and drains
• Intrusive surveys of the approach and exit roads

With traffic at reduced levels due to current national Covid-19 lockdown guidance, the opportunity was taken to close the tunnel to allow for these essential works, which would not be possible during the regular evening maintenance closures.

By delivering major capital investment projects and routine maintenance activities together, this has avoided the need for numerous closures at a later date and will help minimise disruption in the future when national lockdown restrictions are eased, and more people start travelling.

To ensure cross river travel for all vehicles, the Kingsway (Wallasey) Tunnel remained opened during these works as a diversion route.