So Harecastle Tunnel is closed because of a fault with a landline preventing communication between the two portals, writes Bill Ridgeway.
This demonstrates a failure to identify a possible situation serious enough to warrant the closure of the tunnel in an emergency situation and making provision for a work-around ready for use.
It also demonstrates a lack of lateral thinking. Alternative systems could include CB (or similar) radio or even light or sound signals between the two line-of-sight portals.
Remember that back in the day the whole of the railway system was controlled safely by a communication system based on coded bell signals between signal boxes. Failure to plan is a plan for failure (Benjamin Franklin)!
LATEST: a temporary solution has been implemented, so Harecastle Tunnel is now open again.