Car Fire in Conwy Tunnel Brings Major Disruption to Key Welsh Route
Motorists across North Wales faced considerable disruption today after a fire erupted inside the Conwy Tunnel on the A55 – a primary artery linking communities and businesses across the region. The incident, which occurred on the afternoon of 19 June 2025, led to the immediate closure of both carriageways and triggered significant delays well beyond the immediate area.
Eyewitnesses reported plumes of thick smoke pouring out from the tunnel’s entrance shortly after the fire began, prompting urgent responses from emergency services. Fire crews, working alongside police officers and traffic officials, quickly converged on the scene and launched an operation to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of everyone in the vicinity.
Authorities have since identified the source of the fire as a vehicle, reportedly a crane, located within the tunnel. This, however, remains subject to ongoing investigation as officials work to piece together the events that led to the incident.
The effects of the fire were felt far beyond the tunnel. Long stretches of the A55 became gridlocked, with traffic monitoring services indicating that westbound queues extended from Junction 19 (A470 Conway Road near Black Cat, Glan Conwy, and Llandudno Junction) as far as Junction 20 in Colwyn Bay. Surrounding communities such as Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Junction, and Conwy also experienced heavy congestion as drivers sought alternative ways around the blockage.
As the disruption worsened, knock-on effects began to appear elsewhere on Wales’ transport network. The eastbound side of the A55 was closed from Junction 15, exacerbating congestion and forcing many road users onto the A483 northbound towards Chester, where delays became increasingly severe as the evening progressed. Reports also indicated lengthy holdups around the Brynglas tunnels on the M4, underlining the widespread impact such high-profile incidents can have on the regional infrastructure.
In a statement, North Wales Fire Service confirmed the major incident status and urged local residents to take precautions. “We are working closely with partner agencies to control the fire, protect the local environment, and reopen the tunnel as soon as conditions permit,” an official spokesperson explained. Residents living near the tunnel were advised to keep their windows and doors closed to minimise exposure to smoke and fumes.
Traffic Wales, the agency responsible for managing the country’s major roads, echoed these concerns, asking motorists to avoid the area altogether whilst emergency services remained active on-site. Social media and official channels were used extensively to push out updates, with drivers advised to delay their journeys or seek routes well clear of Conwy and its surrounding roadways.
For many, today’s fire revived longstanding concerns around the vulnerability of Wales’ road network to such unforeseen emergencies. The Conwy Tunnel, a critical link for both everyday commuters and haulage traffic between North Wales and the rest of the UK, has always represented a potential bottleneck in the event of major incidents. Experts have repeatedly pointed to the need for robust contingency planning and traffic management solutions to keep disruption to a minimum during similar emergencies.
As evening approached, the operation to extinguish the vehicle fire and assess the tunnel’s structural safety remained ongoing. No injuries have yet been reported, but police and fire authorities promised a thorough investigation into the cause and a review of tunnel safety protocols. Commuters and commercial drivers were being advised to monitor official updates and prepare for continued delays through the evening rush hour.
With North Wales’ main trunk route effectively severed, today’s events have once again highlighted the challenges of keeping the region moving in the face of sudden emergencies. As work continues at the tunnel, authorities remain focused on bringing the situation safely under control and minimising the disruption for the public. Updates are expected as soon as the tunnel can reopen and traffic can start to flow once again.