Decision details

Description

Piccadilly Road Underpass/tunnel links Knightsbridge and Piccadilly under Hyde Park Corner. The tunnel comprises of two tunnel bores taking traffic in opposite directions. The tunnel opened to traffic in the mid-1960s.

The tunnel contains various tunnel systems such as lighting, ventilation, pollution monitors, drainage pumps etc. Some of these systems are original from the 1960s such as the ventilation fans, and some new systems are needed to meet current safety standards, such as fire detection and smoke control.

To meet modern operational and safety standards, many of the existing systems need to be replaced or new systems, which never previously existed, need to be introduced through a programme of improvements.

Decision

The Executive Director of Environment and Communities has approved the release of funding of £850,000 to allow for the following:

-          £275,000 for the procurement and fabrication of the replacement ventilation fans

-          £400,000 for UKPN to commence upgrades the power supplies in advance of installing the new fans.

-          £175,000 Improvements to the emergency fire escape in the tunnel plant room and commencement of the removal of the existing life expired fans