THE tunnel on the approach road to Port Ramsgate is closed for long periods this week for fire safety tests and maintenance. Traffic is being diverted via Royal Parade and Military Road while the tunnel is shut between 7am ad 7pm. Traffic lights at Military Road are controlling traffic flow in and out of the port.

Artificial smoke is being released into the tunnel to enable Kent County Council contractors to test the ventilation system.

A KCC spokesman said: “Residents living nearby have been reassured that the smoke is harmless. “The daytime closure of the tunnel was agreed in consultation with Thanet District Council, the port and the harbour to minimise disruption to business and residents. The tunnel will reopen early if work is completed ahead of schedule.”

Grahame Weston said: “It is vital that we test fire safety in the tunnel to ensure the ventilation system is working properly.”

The tunnel was opened in July 2000 as part of the £30 million port access road project that takes heavy goods lorries to and from the freight ferry terminals without negotiating steep, narrow and winding roads through the town centre.