Karl Bushby and the Channel Tunnel

[Egg Centric]

It's not the length of time that's important is it? If I drive at 120mph on a motorway for 1 hour, is it less dangerous than doing so for 10 hours?

The point is that either way it's taking a risk, you just don't know when that risk will lead to trouble. All you do with a shorter time is decrease the probability, you don't eliminate the risk.

So if you make an exception for Chris Froome, why not for Karl Bushby? You either make an exception or you don't.

They had to shut down all work using the service tunnel during his ride. There's a big difference between shutting that down for an hour or two and half a day.

 

[zwk500]

It's not the length of time that's important is it? If I drive at 120mph on a motorway for 1 hour, is it less dangerous than doing so for 10 hours?

The point is that either way it's taking a risk, you just don't know when that risk will lead to trouble. All you do with a shorter time is decrease the probability, you don't eliminate the risk.

As risk is a function of probability, then by definition reducing the probability is reducing the risk. The task of any risk management is to reduce the risk to a manageable level.

So if you make an exception for Chris Froome, why not for Karl Bushby? You either make an exception or you don't.

In this instance, the role of the service tunnel as an emergency evacuation route is also an important consideration. There is a huge difference between shutting it down or obstructing it for 1hrs and 10hrs.

 

[edwin_m]

A cyclist passing through in an hour could perhaps do so unaccompanied or someone could be driving behind in case of any problems. Bushby would need at least one welfare stop during a 10hr walk, which means having a mobile welfare unit following him or meeting him at intervals. They must have such vehicles on site for use by maintenance staff, but it would then be unavailable for other uses and creating an obstruction in the event of an evacuation being needed.

 

[Egg Centric]

Bushby would need at least one welfare stop during a 10hr walk,

In fairness I think this bit is a solved problem (various absorbent materials and those backpacks that have water in them with a straw)

Although the rest of it isn't.