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Issued on behalf of the Tyne Tunnel
Friday 24 March 2006
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| Tyne Tunnel closes to test emergency procedures |
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On Sunday, February 5, the Tyne Vehicle Tunnel will be closed between 7am and 1pm to allow a full-scale emergency exercise to be carried out.
The exercise will involve staff from the Tyne Tunnel, Police, Ambulance, Fire Brigade, the Tyne and Wear Emergency Planning Unit and local hospitals in testing procedures for responding to an emergency at the Tunnel.
Part of the exercise will involve testing the Tyne Vehicle Tunnel ventilation system which is altered during fire or other incidents. In emergency ventilation mode, the airflow within the tunnel is used to control smoke and create a clean air path for fire and rescues personnel.
Tyne Tunnels Manager, Peter Hedley said
“These emergency exercises are carried out at least every four years as recommended by the European Directive on Tunnel Safety and are essential to check that every organisation involved in a real emergency thoroughly understands their role.”
The exercise is the result of planning and consultation across all emergency services and up to 100 people will take some part on the day.
A full report on the exercise will be discussed at the Tyne Tunnel Working Group in April.
ENDS
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