Three month contraflow at A299 Chestfield Tunnel as urgent repairs begin

Drivers will need to use a contraflow system for the next three months as repair works at a key coastal tunnel begin. On Tuesday, June 11 Chestfield Tunnel on the A299 Thanet Way near Whitstable was forced to close and has remained shut throughout the week.

A routine safety inspection uncovered a “safety critical fault” relating to the jet fans that control the tunnel’s ventilation. The tunnel was subsequently closed in both directions, with the A299 Thanet Way shut between Clapham Hill, Whitstable and Eddington Roundabout, Herne Bay.

This allowed specialist engineers to get on site and bring the London-bound lane back up to a safe operational level so at least part of the tunnel could open. Kent County Council’s (KCC) Highways department has confirmed that, as of Thursday, June 13, a contraflow system has been put in place at the tunnel as works to replace the fans in the coast-bound side begin.

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The contraflow will run for around 900 metres, shorter than the contraflow that was in place on the A299 earlier this year, and will allow one lane to remain open in both directions, where the speed limit will be reduced to 40mph.

KCC has confirmed that the contraflow will be in place for at least three months. As the jet fans are a specialist piece of equipment which are made to order, it is expected that it will take around two months, depending on availability, for them to be manufactured and then delivered.

Simon Jones, Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, said: “We understand this is a huge inconvenience to residents and we apologise for the disruption encountered, however our priority is public safety, which we take very seriously. The contraflow will enable us to keep at least one of the tunnel lanes open so that people can continue to use that stretch of road. However, please allow extra time for journeys as there will unfortunately be some delays.

“When the equipment manufacturer confirms when the fans can be delivered back to site we will provide a further update on when we will be able to safely remove the contraflow and re-open the tunnel fully.” Kent Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager, Charlie Smith, added: “These are essential works to repair jet fans in the tunnel, which will support our crews in the safe evacuation of the public in the event of a fire”.

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