An independent survey of tunnels across Europe has produced the worst safety result for five years.

However, no UK tunnels were inspected for the European Tunnel Assessment Programme.

Nine of the 31 European road tunnels tested failed to meet minimum safety standards required by an EU Directive on safety in road tunnels.

Five of the tunnels tested scored very poor and two were poor.

The worst tunnels were:
 

  • Cernobbio, Italy (Very poor)
  • Waasland, Antwerp, Belgium (Very poor
  • Breva, Italy (SS 340 near Menaggio) (Very poor)
  • Marinasco Spain, (NSA 303 near La Spezia) (Very poor)
  • Eikefet, Jernfjell and Matreberg tunnels, all in Norway (Very poor)
  • Pando, Spain (AP 66 near Pola de Lena) (Poor)
  • Universität Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf) (Poor)

 

"Fire is the biggest danger for road users in tunnels and knowing what to do can save your life.

"Equally, the quality of the tunnel and its systems can be a life saver too,” said Edmund King, the AA's president.

“It is a disappointment that no UK tunnels were included in the 2008 test programme due to ongoing programmes of improvement and, in some cases, the reluctance of UK tunnel authorities to allow independent inspection."