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Beaminster landslip tunnel reopens after £2.1m repairs | Beaminster landslip tunnel reopens after £2.1m repairs |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A road tunnel which was closed when two people died in a landslip there has reopened following extensive repair works. | |
Rosemary Snell, 67, and Michael Rolfe, 72, both from Somerset, died on 7 July 2012 when their car was buried at Beaminster Tunnel in Dorset. | Rosemary Snell, 67, and Michael Rolfe, 72, both from Somerset, died on 7 July 2012 when their car was buried at Beaminster Tunnel in Dorset. |
The tunnel was due to reopen in May but repairs were delayed due to bad weather and land ownership issues. | The tunnel was due to reopen in May but repairs were delayed due to bad weather and land ownership issues. |
The council said it wanted to make sure the land was stabilised and safe. | |
It reopened to traffic earlier following the completion of £2.1m of repairs. | |
However temporary traffic lights could be used at off-peak times while contractors finish off any remaining work. | However temporary traffic lights could be used at off-peak times while contractors finish off any remaining work. |
Complex project | Complex project |
Repairs have included rebuilding the head wall destroyed in the landslip and protecting walls at both ends of the tunnel by building extra concrete walls behind them. | Repairs have included rebuilding the head wall destroyed in the landslip and protecting walls at both ends of the tunnel by building extra concrete walls behind them. |
Walls on approaches to the A3066 tunnel have been stabilised and the road has been resurfaced. | Walls on approaches to the A3066 tunnel have been stabilised and the road has been resurfaced. |
Drainage and specialist soil nailing have taken place and new lighting has been installed on the approaches to and inside the tunnel. | Drainage and specialist soil nailing have taken place and new lighting has been installed on the approaches to and inside the tunnel. |
Dorset county councillor Hilary Cox said: "It has been a very complex project and we have had to overcome a number of difficulties. | Dorset county councillor Hilary Cox said: "It has been a very complex project and we have had to overcome a number of difficulties. |
"It has been a test of our engineering skills to find long-term solutions to make sure the land around the tunnel is stabilised for the safety of road users. | |
"The slopes will look strange initially, but we will sow wild flowers and then let nature do the rest." | "The slopes will look strange initially, but we will sow wild flowers and then let nature do the rest." |
The council said the repairs, which started in December, should last for 120 years. | |
Ms Snell, 67, and Mr Rolfe, 72, were reported missing on the day of the landslip and their bodies were not found until nine days later. | Ms Snell, 67, and Mr Rolfe, 72, were reported missing on the day of the landslip and their bodies were not found until nine days later. |
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