Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Queensway Tunnel

  1. #1
    Senior Member iain's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Wavertree
    Age
    43
    Posts
    243

    Default Queensway Tunnel

    If it were being built today, a 44ft (13m) diameter tunnel under a river estuary, with two branches, underwater junctions and four tunnel portals to be squeezed into city centre locations would be an incredibly large-scale project.

    In 1923, the only viable prospect was to have it excavated by hand. No tunnel of comparable diameter had been built before, and nothing existed to match its length or its complexity. No ground surveys could be carried out. No mechanism existed by which central government could plan such large-scale schemes. The railways, which held enormous political sway, were vociferous opponents, given that they operated the only existing river crossing. The odds were, really, stacked against it.



    All the same, the Mersey Tunnel Joint Committee was formed in 1923 and within a little more than two years work had started. When it opened, it was the engineering marvel of the world.

    More here ... old maps, wartime plans, destruction of Birkenhead...

  2. #2
    Creator & Administrator Kev's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Under The Stairs >> Under The Mud.
    Posts
    7,488
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    Cheers Iain
    Become A Supporter 👇


    Donate Via PayPal


    Donate


  3. #3
    Otterspool Onomatopoeia Max's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Nowhere
    Age
    38
    Posts
    1,908

    Default

    I saw a cyclist cyling through the Birkenhead tunnel last Sunday when out driving, are cyclists allowed to cycle through? I thought you couldn't.
    Gididi Gididi Goo.

  4. #4
    George
    Guest George's Avatar

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Max View Post
    I saw a cyclist cyling through the Birkenhead tunnel last Sunday when out driving, are cyclists allowed to cycle through? I thought you couldn't.
    Prolly got nabbed at the checkpoint

    I went through the tunnel years ago on a Honda50,got halfway and the bleedin bike started coughin&fartin...turns out the air was so dense the petrol/air mixture was weak.

    The liver buildings has the walkway entrance to the tunnel down in its basement and walkway spans the full length of the tunnel,yta have those doors at the side of the tunnel? well they house the man tunnel.

    I would have hated the job of putting up all the tunnel lights though...by heck that must have been a tedious job.
    Last edited by George; 06-05-2009 at 09:47 AM.

  5. #5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Max View Post
    I saw a cyclist cyling through the Birkenhead tunnel last Sunday when out driving, are cyclists allowed to cycle through? I thought you couldn't.
    They can. Only off peak periods though.

  6. #6
    Otterspool Onomatopoeia Max's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Nowhere
    Age
    38
    Posts
    1,908

    Default

    Aye, found out that on the Merseytravel site.

    There needs to be a free bridge to get to the Wirral like the info Waterways posted about. The Runcorn bridge is free and theres a free bridge to north Wales too!

    Liverpool gets treated and is a dump in the majority.
    Gididi Gididi Goo.

  7. #7

    Default Information / stories on Queensway tunnel construction

    Hello everyone,

    I have made a short b+w Super 8 film driving through the Queensway tunnel (as I like tunnels) and I was wondering if anyone would share their family or other personal history of the construction of the tunnel with me.

    I have heard that the workers put a steel plate on the sole of their left boot as kicking the spades into the ground was ruining the leather. When the walked to work in the morning this created some almighty sound. Also that they were the best dressed workers in the country at the time as the wages were relatively good but the work was so dangerous that some bought themselves new suits every week - could be the last one the buy after all.

    If anyone had some personal stories or anecdotes of fathers, uncles, family-friends to share about live as a worker at the construction or live in Liverpool at the time that would be greatly appreciated.


    This is for a non-commercial art-project. The film is to be shown in October in a little show in Germany. Naturally I would credit all involved in the accompanying material.

    Many thanks,
    Sonke Faltien

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sonke View Post
    Hello everyone,

    I have made a short b+w Super 8 film driving through the Queensway tunnel (as I like tunnels) and I was wondering if anyone would share their family or other personal history of the construction of the tunnel with me.

    I have heard that the workers put a steel plate on the sole of their left boot as kicking the spades into the ground was ruining the leather. When the walked to work in the morning this created some almighty sound. Also that they were the best dressed workers in the country at the time as the wages were relatively good but the work was so dangerous that some bought themselves new suits every week - could be the last one the buy after all.

    If anyone had some personal stories or anecdotes of fathers, uncles, family-friends to share about live as a worker at the construction or live in Liverpool at the time that would be greatly appreciated.


    This is for a non-commercial art-project. The film is to be shown in October in a little show in Germany. Naturally I would credit all involved in the accompanying material.

    Many thanks,
    Sonke Faltien

    Hi Sonke,

    Link to a previous post of mine

    http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11813

  9. #9
    Newbie Quillandpen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Liverpool
    Posts
    4

    Default

    There is an excellent tour of the ventilation shaft, as well as a emergency exits, under-road walkways, as well as the planned train tunnels, most Saturday mornings. Pre-book, think the cost is ?5. You can also buy a book and DVD about it from the shop in the main shaft near Liver Biulding.

    IRO the motorcycle croaking, it is said that the air in the tunnel is some of the freshest in Liverpool...

  10. #10
    Pablo42 pablo42's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Wallasey
    Posts
    2,650
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    I went down in a bucket to the new tunnel when that was being built. I also worked on it. Hate going underground, I think I must be a cleptomaniac or something.

Similar Threads

  1. Queensway Tunnel (2)
    By Colin Wilkinson in forum Colin Wilkinson's Streets of Liverpool
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-30-2010, 12:00 PM
  2. Queensway Tunnel 1934
    By Colin Wilkinson in forum Colin Wilkinson's Streets of Liverpool
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 08-28-2010, 11:04 PM
  3. Ventilation Station / Queensway Tunnel
    By snappel in forum Exploring Merseyside
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 05-29-2007, 11:31 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •