A member of the Welsh Senedd has thanked the Conwy Traffic Management Centre for its quick response to a major tunnel fire last month.

A vehicle fire in the tunnel on the A55 led to a significant closure followed by the introduction of a contraflow to allow both directions of traffic to share one tunnel.

Conservative Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS, the member for Aberconwy, (pictured, fourth from left) visited the tunnel control centre and commented: “I am extremely impressed that in under a minute of detecting smoke from the crane travelling into the tunnel, the Conwy Traffic Management Centre had succeeded to close the road and implement the first steps of the emergency response plan.

“The measures in place to help stranded individuals exit safely are impressive, as is the fact that the team are monitoring the section of trunk road 24/7.

“At any second an accident could occur on the A55. Having spoken to the team in Conwy, and learnt about their system control process, I am confident that we are in safe hands. The rapid response to the fire locally proves that, so the team does deserve a big thank you. Diolch!”

Ten fire engines and four specialist appliances were called to the scene of the fire on 19 June. There were no fatalities, and the tunnel had reopened eastbound the next morning.

(Picture – Janet Finch-Saunders)