Skip to main content

Improving safety at Mersey Tunnel

Consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff will upgrade the fire fighting systems in the Mersey Tunnel in the UK. This move will improve the tunnel’s safety measures and bring it into line with stringent new requirements being introduced right across Europe. Under the terms of the deal international consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff has a contract to help Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority upgrade and modernise fire fighting systems in the Kingsway tunnels, which are two of the longest road tunnels in the UK. The
April 19, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Consultant 4983 Parsons Brinckerhoff will upgrade the fire fighting systems in the Mersey Tunnel in the UK. This move will improve the tunnel’s safety measures and bring it into line with stringent new requirements being introduced right across Europe. Under the terms of the deal international consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff has a contract to help Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority upgrade and modernise fire fighting systems in the Kingsway tunnels, which are two of the longest road tunnels in the UK. The twin bore tunnels run 2.25km between Liverpool and Wallasey under the River Mersey and were originally built in the 1970s. The fire fighting infrastructure is now in need of upgrade to meet European regulations, which were introduced following fatalities in serious tunnel fires in Austria and Switzerland. Parsons Brinckerhoff is evaluating the existing fire fighting facilities in the twin tunnels and will design new systems along with nearly 100 fire hydrant points along the routes. The company has assisted the client in its selection of a main contractor and will now provide management and inspection services throughout the contractor’s installation contract. The demanding programme has seen Parsons Brinckerhoff leading feasibility, detailed design and programme management in close coordination with the client and other stakeholders including the emergency services. Final design proposals cover the tunnels and approach highways and include an installation approach to minimise disruption. Maintaining the integrity of the fire fighting protection on this busy commuter route during the works is essential and passenger safety has been a major priority

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Safety issues fuel interest at PIARC’s tunnel conference in Lyon
    December 5, 2018
    1999’s fatal Mont Blanc fire means safety is a constant concern for tunnel operators. Alternative fuels and automated vehicles were also high on the agenda at PIARC’s first conference on the issue. David Arminas reports from Lyon – and walks the Croix-Rousse tunnel More than ever, tunnel management must be done in a holistic fashion. That was the message from André Broto, president of the World Road Associa-tion (PIARC) as he kicked off PIARC’s first International Conference on Tunnel Operations and Safe
  • Parsons Brinckerhoff to modernise Michigan freeway
    July 4, 2014
    Parsons Brinckerhoff has been awarded a contract to assist the Michigan Department of Transportation (DOT) with the delivery of a project to modernise an 18-mile section of the I-75 freeway in Oakland County, Michigan. The US$850 million project, which runs from Auburn Hills to Hazel Park, involves reconstruction of the highway along with the addition of the first high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in Michigan. The project includes replacement of 51 bridges, reconstructing existing road surface, improvin
  • SICE consortium awarded New Zealand tunnel contract
    September 28, 2015
    Spanish technology company SICE is to design the integrated tunnel management system for Waterview Tunnel in Auckland, New Zealand, which is part of the Waterview Connection project. One of the most important infrastructure developments ever to take place in New Zealand, the Waterview Connection will complete a motorway ring route around the city. The project will be delivered by the Well Connected consortium, comprising local companies Fletcher Construction, Beca Infrastructure and Tonkin & Taylor, alon
  • EU proposes to spend €2.7 billion for 152 transport projects
    June 29, 2017
    The European Commission is proposing to invest US$3 billion (€2.7 billion) in 152 key transport projects that support competitive, clean and connected mobility in Europe.