Spooners Tunnel closed

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Just three months after it’s opening, the Spooners Tunnel has been closed to the public.

The Spooners Tunnel is temporarily closed to the public to allow structural improvements to be carried out at the northern tunnel entrance.

Council Engineering Services manager Peter Thomson says a routine geotechnical inspection by the Council’s consultants Tonkin and Taylor had identified the need for the work. The tunnel was closed to the public yesterday.

“We need to ensure public safety so as a precaution we have closed the tunnel until further notice to allow our geotechnical engineers to assess the best way bolster that section of the tunnel and then carry out improvements.”

The tunnel will be closed for two weeks during the assessment.

“Unfortunately, with a tunnel that is 125 years old some maintenance issues are to be expected,” says Peter. “Spooners Tunnel has experienced a significant change in use since it was opened to cyclists and walkers as part of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail and that, combined with heavy rain over the past few weeks, may have had an effect as well.”

For those missing out on the cycle through the tunnel, Peter says council are committed to reopening it as soon as possible.