Overtaking in the blackwall tunnel.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by ranathari

Overtaking in a tunnel is just stupid because it's the worst place to have a crash: the nature of a tunnel means it's a pain for ambulances to get to you and a crash makes it even harder for them.

I'm sorry but I don't see the relation between overtaking and crashing .

Perhaps it would be helpful for those, like me, that are not familiar with the Blackwall tunnel?

So, how many lanes? and which direction are they? What's the central white line system?

Here's a youtube of the tunnel going both ways, for those of us who don't know it! I've never been there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuyNL2lbgFs&feature=fvst

Looks like it's a dual carriageway with solid lines. We've got a shorter tunnel like that in Cardiff, if I find myself stuck in lane 1 behind an extreme dodderer (30mph) and it's clear I'll go around (bike or car). It's usually too busy to make that choice anyway. It's great for whipping through at high speed in the early hours when you get the chance.

Here's the Cardiff one, looks a bit wider than blackwal though....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2k3F020cjY

been going through the blackwall tunnel for years - its two lanes on each side, one side northbound, the other side southbound. double white lines. and its pretty narrow. I often swap lanes if i get stuck behind a lorry, but some of the bikes filter at speed. I dont have a problem with it to be honest. the more you ride in london, the better your reactions seem to get. its illegal and at the end of the day you takes your chances and all that. I wouldnt wish any harm to any of them though and its pretty poor that some people do....

I bought an SV from a chap who'd crashed in the Blackwall tunnel. Not the SV I hasten to add.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by arenalife

Here's a youtube of the tunnel going both ways, for those of us who don't know it! I've never been there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuyNL2lbgFs&feature=fvst

Looks like it's a dual carriageway

Thanks for that.
That's what I thought it was 2 lanes in a single direction. Why the heck can traffic in one lane not pass the other lane?

From the OP I thought it was 2 lanes travelling in opposite directions.

i dont get it, Is it 2 tunnels (northbound and southbound), each tunnel has 2 lanes of same directionality traffic seperated by DWL.
Is it high speed or something cos at 30surely an overtake is perfectly safe. If its NSL then yeah I can see visability been an issue for micra's overtaking transits but other than that I still dont get it.

Not trying to be ignorant so someone please explain.

[punyXpress]

[QUOTE=leedsmatt7;2290472]i dont get it, Is it:
It is 2 tunnels (northbound and southbound), each tunnel has 2 lanes of same directionality traffic seperated by single solid white line.
Used to be even more fun before they built the second one. Lunch time mission was to do a couple of return trips seeing how many backfires I could do. Mind you it leaked like a sieve & there was nothing to get rid of oil deposits.
Happy daze - I was a hooligan then!

I can't see a problem providing you observe the lane discipline and speed limits. I will add be more cautious with heavy good vehicles though

[Red Herring]

Oh course, there is quite a bit of informed opinion that overtaking over those double white lines isn't an offence because they don't comply with regulations, but if you do it indiscriminately you're likely to attract an allegation of driving/riding without due care....

[punyXpress]

Think they're only single solid lines, but there MAY be byelaws which could thwart the pursuit of fun.