MOTORISTS could face chaos and long tailbacks when both lanes of the Hatfield Tunnel close consecutively from next year for maintenance work. The northbound tunnel will close from July 2009 until May 2010 followed by the southbound tunnel which will close

MOTORISTS could face chaos and long tailbacks when both lanes of the Hatfield Tunnel close consecutively from next year for maintenance work.

The northbound tunnel will close from July 2009 until May 2010 followed by the southbound tunnel which will close until April 2011.

A contraflow system will operate in the remaining tunnel while the other one is closed.

The Highways Agency has conceded that the work will delay motorists and some will inevitably seek alternative routes through Herts which could cause additional congestion on the road network.