Drivers told to expect 'letters in the post' after A55 tunnel fire

Drivers have been told to expect "letters in the post" after a tunnel fire cause major delays on the A55 yesterday (Friday).

The electrical fire broke out in the Penmaenbach area of Conwy and led to the closure of the tunnel and long delays

However some motorists turned around and drove "against the traffic flow", with police now taking action.

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A North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit statement said: "Several drivers should expect letters through the post following today's incident on the A55.

"Additional delays were created due to the fact that motorists were turning their vehicles around and driving against the traffic flow - 'oh they did it' and 'I was just following them' is not an excuse.

"A number of drivers were spoken to and told to expect a letter through the post, likely to be a fine and points.

"Nobody likes to be stuck on the carriageway and we know it's incredibly frustrating and people have places to be - but all we ask is for a little bit of patience and understanding.

"Huge thanks to all those who WERE patient."

Vehicles were at a standstill as emergency services worked to extinguish the blaze, which broke out shortly before 11.15am, with the A55 blocked in both directions as major traffic jams formed.

At one point the A55 closure effectively blocked the Conwy Tunnel too, according to the Inrix traffic monitoring service. North Wales Police urged motorists to obey the law while stuck in the traffic.

The road reopened just before 1pm, but long delays continued for some time after.

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