MOTORISTS can now drive through both sides of the Hatfield Tunnel as two years of improvement works reaches the final stage.

Used by 10,000 cars daily, the busy section of the A1(M) will remain subject to speed restrictions which have already seen over 12,000 drivers caught for speeding since work began in 2009.

Work will continue until May, with sporadic overnight closures and diversions while final testing is completed.

The two-year revamp was necessary for the tunnel to be brought up to date with disability discrimination legislature.

* Back in July and August 2009, 1,561 and 1,229 drivers respectively were fined, dropping to just 322 in January and 392 in February 2011.