Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Ross, I already gave thought to the disruption of the traffic during a construction period, and considered it possible to do one carriage at a time, as each have two lanes, meaning that the traffic would be transitting on one half of Townwall Street in both directions, while the other half is being dug up and laid out as a cut and shut tunnel. It might cause as slight traffic conjestion, but nothing that would make circulation impossible, considering the limited length of Townwall Street.
The flyover at Eastern Docks could also be used to divert a part of the trafic until the construction owork were complete. I don't think it would take years for a double tunnel to be in place, after all it's not the Channel Tunnel we are talking of!
By the way, how was it possible to excavate the Channel Tunnel but then find it's too dificult to make a Townwall Street tunnel?
Once again, a drainage system would solve the underground water problem, and furthermore, the fact that it is a shingle and sand stretch and would have a cut and shut tunnel would make it so much easier to maintain for the simple reason that it would not be running under a cliff such as the rail link betwen Dover and Folkestone! So really, all the arguments presented mean it would be so much easier to do than if it were under a cliff.
Finally, somee tunnels under the Alps are many miles long, going through sheer stone, and yet they did it! I believe the more we progress here in Britain, the worse it gets. Before long, at this rate, people won't be doing anything anymore!
To me it looks as if many have already given up and surrendered!
Perhaps if we brought in a couple of thousand Polish and Czech workers we could cut the cost and get the job done quicker? Would that be feasible?
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Sid, please read my letter-article on page two of Dover Mercury 17 June! It is the answer to your question. Would it be feasible if you wrote your proposal as stated directly above on a local news-paper? I wish you would, but some-how I don't think they would print it!
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,700
Alexander the disruption to the town when they resurfaced Townwall Street using exactly the approach you suggest was appalling. The Channel Tunnel was possible because it was bored through the solid chalk layer under the Channel that also sits blow a significant band of clay, silt and sand, what you are proposing is a very shallow tunnel through a gravel spit, a completely different engineering issue. The problem is less to do with drainage and water ingress than it is to do with lack of solid ground and the consequential instability problems for any tunnel. This could perhaps be solved by putting in substantial piles to provide a stable base, but this will add substantial time and cost to something that has a zero benefit economic case in its favour and minimal local demand. A much better and cheaper solution to reconnecting the town to the seafront are a set of wide pedestrian bridges, perhaps wide enough to plant up as green land bridges much like the one connecting each side of Mile End Park across the A12.
It is not a cant do attitude it is a wont pi55 away the countries money on a waste attitude.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Well said Ross. What a sensible post.
What does it mean "Soylent Green is people"?
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
The town simply cannot exist with Townwall Street out of action for any lengthy period of time - not only is it the main artery into the docks, it's also a major thoroughfare for getting traffic circulating around the town and to/from the beach.
It's also completely unnecessary and would be a massive waste of money given that there are so many projects that are far more deserving of money we, as a nation, simply don't have.
True friends stab you in the front.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
Diana 'Soylent Green is People' is the last line called out by Charlton Heston at the end of this lively futuristic yarn set in 2022 New York. Edward G. Robinson plays a very moving character who's final goodbye would bring a tear to the driest of eyes.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Ross, that doesn't make sense, because if it were as you stated, the traffic circulation along Townwall Street (thousands of lorries a day and many more cars)would collapse into the ground! So if it doesn't do that on the surface, it wouldn't do it several meters lower either! Also, there is a difference between the Channel Tunnel and Townwall and Snargate Streets: the latter are much shorter!
As for the reasons of a tunnel, it would be to stop the continuous poison and noise in our town. Port-tolls would pay for it, but for some unknown reason, some people seem to think this idea out of the question! However, I have plans of my own, and that includes bringing the subject of port-tolls up in other occasions, elsewhere, and in different circumstances, as evidently it makes sense. Just a matter of time, and it will be achieved!
Diana!
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Alexander, you seem to miss the point that even if there were a tunnel the lorry emissions would still need to escape from somewhere or be filtered out. In which case some sort of suction/filter from the existing road could be done ??
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Yes, Paul, it's modern technology in all standard long tunnels, many of which are miles long, such as those passing under the Alps. The polution is filtered out, but it is not belched out at ground level as happens when vehicles sail by, so we would not be breathing it in!