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Commuters braced for St Chad's and Queensway tunnel closures Commuters face St Chad's and Queensway tunnel closure test
(about 3 hours later)
Birmingham commuters are bracing themselves for the fallout from a six-week closure of two of the city major routes. Birmingham commuters are testing whether there will be any fallout from a six-week closure of two of the city major routes.
The St Chad's and Queensway tunnels, on the A38 between St Chad's Cathedral and The Mailbox, shut for repairs at 22:00 BST on Friday. The St Chad's and Queensway tunnels, on the A38 between St Chad's Cathedral and The Mailbox, shut for repairs on Friday night.
Monday is the first full working day where motorists will have to use alternative routes to and from work. Monday is the first full working day on which motorists are having to use alternative routes to and from work.
Birmingham's Chamber of Commerce has warned it will cause "chaos".Birmingham's Chamber of Commerce has warned it will cause "chaos".
But Steve Brittan, the chamber's president, said he would boycott the city centre while the work was being carried out and urged other drivers to do the same to alleviate congestion problems. Steve Brittan, the chamber's president, said he would boycott the city centre while the work was being carried out and urged other drivers to do the same to alleviate congestion problems.
'Inconvenience''Inconvenience'
Motorist Rob Knowles who usually drives into the city along the M6 and A38 from Bedworth, Warwickshire, said he will be leaving his home about 30 minutes earlier than usual. Motorist Rob Knowles, who usually drives into the city along the M6 and A38 from Bedworth, Warwickshire, said he would be leaving his home about 30 minutes earlier than usual.
He said he will use the M42 and the A45 instead. He said he would be using the M42 and the A45 instead.
"On a good day, it normally takes me about an hour to get in and now I'm estimating it'll be about an extra half-an-hour," he said."On a good day, it normally takes me about an hour to get in and now I'm estimating it'll be about an extra half-an-hour," he said.
"I can see it being an inconvenience though because I imagine lot of other people will be doing the same as me."I can see it being an inconvenience though because I imagine lot of other people will be doing the same as me.
"I can understand why they are doing when they are doing but it remains to be seen what it will be like." "I can understand why they are doing when they are doing, but it remains to be seen what it will be like."
The council said it chose to close the tunnels, which are 40 years old, from 19 July until 2 September because traffic levels were usually up to 20% lighter during the school summer holidays.The council said it chose to close the tunnels, which are 40 years old, from 19 July until 2 September because traffic levels were usually up to 20% lighter during the school summer holidays.
As part of the repairs, nearly 1,000 new lights will be installed and about 21,000 sq m of fire protection will be added to the walls and ceilings.As part of the repairs, nearly 1,000 new lights will be installed and about 21,000 sq m of fire protection will be added to the walls and ceilings.
Amey, which maintains the city's roads and highways, said approximately 75,000 vehicles travel through the tunnels each day.Amey, which maintains the city's roads and highways, said approximately 75,000 vehicles travel through the tunnels each day.
The council and Amey have set up a website giving details of the closures.The council and Amey have set up a website giving details of the closures.
'Mayhem' fear'Mayhem' fear
However, Edgbaston councillor Deirdre Alden said on Friday she had found out part of Broad Street would also be shut while the work was carried out. However, Edgbaston councillor Deirdre Alden said on Friday she had found out part of Broad Street would also be shut while the work was carried out.
She said she found that out via a question in a committee meeting - and not through the information released by the council and Amey.She said she found that out via a question in a committee meeting - and not through the information released by the council and Amey.
Ms Alden, a Conservative councillor, said the inbound part of the road between Paradise Circus and the Hyatt Hotel would be shut to cars over the six weeks, although buses and taxis would still be allowed through.Ms Alden, a Conservative councillor, said the inbound part of the road between Paradise Circus and the Hyatt Hotel would be shut to cars over the six weeks, although buses and taxis would still be allowed through.
"It's going to be mayhem in parts of the city centre," she said."It's going to be mayhem in parts of the city centre," she said.
"I can understand them not wanting Paradise Circus to take any extra traffic, but this is going to make things worse.""I can understand them not wanting Paradise Circus to take any extra traffic, but this is going to make things worse."
Along with road diversions, extra measures have been put in place by National Express and Centro to encourage drivers not to come into the city centre.Along with road diversions, extra measures have been put in place by National Express and Centro to encourage drivers not to come into the city centre.
A 500-space park-and-ride site has been set up at Birmingham City University's Perry Barr campus, extra buses are being put on and three "bike trains" are being set up to allow people to cycle in large groups into the city.A 500-space park-and-ride site has been set up at Birmingham City University's Perry Barr campus, extra buses are being put on and three "bike trains" are being set up to allow people to cycle in large groups into the city.