Request ID: FOI-0639-2223 Date published: 04 July 2022
You asked
Dear Sir,
I am working on a quantitative risk analysis model for UK road tunnels. To complete the model, I need the records of tunnel fires in UK road tunnels within the past 10 years. I could not find this data online.
Is it possible to send me this data?
Regards,
We answered
Our ref: FOI-0639-2223/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 15 June 2022 asking for information about fires in UK road tunnels.
Your request will be considered in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. As previously advised, TfL only holds information relating to tunnels in London (not the wider UK); and only tunnels which are on the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) which we are responsible for.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
Please see below the number of tunnel fires recorded on the TLRN since 2012. The incidents were car fires (unless otherwise indicated):
2012/09/03 Limehouse Link. (skip lorry) 2013/28/06 Limehouse Link 2014/04/11 Limehouse Link (Road Traffic Collision & small car fire put out with extinguisher) 2015/22/04 Limehouse Link (car was just outside entry portal) 2016/26/10 Blackwall Southbound 2017/27/02 East India Dock Tunnel (Bus fire outside of tunnel but fumes drawn into tunnel by ventilation system), 2017/13/07 Blackwall Northbound at entrance portal 2017/01/08 Limehouse Link (van) 2018/21/02 Blackwall Northbound, 2018/28/07 Blackwall Northbound 2018/13/12 Blackwall Northbound 2019 None 2020 None 2021/09/04 Blackwall Northbound 2022/01/02 Blackwall Northbound.
Any tunnels not listed above have not had any fires recorded over the last ten years. The majority of the fires listed appear to have been caused by vehicle defect - mechanical or electrical, and not collisions.
If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
