• The tunnel itself would run from Combe Martin in North Devon to Swansea in South Wales and would be 46km long. There would be 3 traffic lanes, with the centre lane reversibly signalled to suit the predicted major flow.

• To cater for the increased traffic the A361 North Devon Link Road would be dualled for its entire length, as would the A39 east of Bideford. The main access road would be the A399, which would be rebuilt as a dual carriageway, mostly following its existing alignment but bypassing Combe Martin to the west and leading to the tunnel approach ramp. A link road would connect to the A399 west of Combe Martin so through traffic to Ilfracombe could avoid the village entirely. An optional further enhancement would be to extend the Barnstaple Western Bypass to the north-east linking with the A39 north of the town. The A39 would remain a single carriageway but would be upgraded where necessary as far as its junction with the A399.

• In South Wales the approach ramp would be between Bishopston and Swansea with a link road to the A4067 providing easy access to the M4 at junctions 42 and 45. Toll booths would be situated on the link road, but tolls would only be collected for southbound traffic.

• The tunnel and its associated infrastructure would greatly enhance business and tourism in both North Devon and South-west Wales by dramatically reducing the travelling time between the two areas. The next stage is the development of detailed plans for the project, publication being expected in January 2009. A Public Enquiry would follow and, if the outcome is favourable, construction could start in September 2009, with completion envisaged in 2013.

 
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk