Engineering work needed on tunnel's "bulging walls"

Engineering work is to be carried out on Cornwall's Saltash Tunnel because its walls are starting to bulge.

The Highways Agency (HA) is now in talks with contractors on how to repair the wall panels, which were installed in the road tunnel to cover cracks and leaks, with minimum costs and disruptions.

The agency added that it was aware that some panels do not appear to be "flush fitted" to the walls, but that tunnel users have nothing to worry about.

"This is a purely an aesthetic issue and is no way a safety-related matter," the HA said in a statement. "The agency is determined to ensure that the work done in the tunnel is to the highest possible standard."

However south-east Cornwall MP Colin Breed said: "These bulges would give the public concern unless it was explained to them what was wrong. We have to investigate and research this, and we want some questions answered.

"Quite clearly a substantial number of the panels are showing signs of bulging. It's as if they've been crammed in and they've suddenly buckled."