A vast network of 200-year-old tunnels lies beneath Liverpool’s streets – and no one knows why they’re there.
Why are there tunnels in Liverpool?
The Williamson Tunnels are a series of extensive subterranean excavations, of unknown purpose, in the Edge Hill area of Liverpool, England. They are thought to have been created under the direction of tobacco merchant, landowner and philanthropist Joseph Williamson between 1810 and 1840.
Can I visit the Williamson Tunnels?
The Centre is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tours run every hour at 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 1.30, 2,30, and 3.30. All tours must be booked in advance by telephoning 0151 709 6868 between 10.00am and 3.00pm on the three days that we are open.
Where are the tunnels in England?
The Channel Tunnel (French: Tunnel sous la Manche), also known as the Chunnel, is a 50.46-kilometre (31.35 mi) railway tunnel that connects Folkestone (Kent, England, UK) with Coquelles (Hauts-de-France, France) beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover.
Why did Williamson build the tunnels?
Williamson therefore built the tunnels as a place into which he and his fellow believers could escape to avoid the catastrophe and emerge later to build a new city.
Can you walk through Liverpool tunnel?
Please Note: You cannot walk through either of the Mersey Tunnels. You may cycle through the Queensway (Birkenhead) Tunnel at certain times. Please check Byelaw 9 for times.
How deep is the Liverpool underground?
The drainage tunnel falls from the centre to pumping shafts on each side of the river, 1.6km apart. The Liverpool shaft is 4.6m in diameter and the Birkenhead shaft 5.3m in diameter. Both are about 52m deep and lined with cast iron tubes where they pass through water-bearing strata.
How do you pay for the Mersey tunnel?
You will need a pre-paid toll account and you must not be travelling for business reasons. For all other users the Class 1 toll is £2.00. There are no changes to the toll fees for Class 2, 3 or 4 vehicles for either pre-paid accounts or cash payments.
How deep underwater is the Ted Williams Tunnel?
90 feet
The Ted Williams Tunnel interface in East Boston between the land-based approach and the underwater section is 90 feet below the surface of Boston Harbor, the deepest such connection in North America.
How much is the Williamson Tunnels?
£4.50 for adults, £4 for concessions, £3 for childre, Under 5’s – free. The guided tour through part of Williamson’s labyrinth takes about 45 minutes.
What cities in the UK have an underground?
Rapid transit in the United Kingdom consists of four systems in four cities: the London Underground and Docklands Light Railway in London, Tyne and Wear Metro in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and the Glasgow Subway.
What is the biggest tunnel in the UK?
Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre is located off the A62 in Marsden, between Huddersfield and Oldham. As one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways, the Standedge Tunnel is the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel in Great Britain.
Does the UK have underground tunnels?
Britain’s mysterious underground tunnels have been a source of fascination for decades. Yet, until recently, authorities have remained conspicuously secretive about them.
Who built the Liverpool tunnels?
Work began on the Kingsway Tunnel between Liverpool and Wallasey in 1966 by Edmund Nuttall Ltd., who also constructed the Liver Building. It took five years to complete and was officially opened by HM The Queen on June 24, 1971 (the approach on the Wirral side took over the old Seacombe train line).
Was tunneling the worst job of ww1?
Their job was to dig tunnels under the enemy forces, where huge mines could be left. Some of these were huge, with the largest causing 10k fatalities and being capable of being heard from London. The worst job on the front line was considered to be that of runner/messenger.
How big are the Williamson Tunnels?
The excavations have uncovered tunnels in various sizes from the so called ‘banqueting hall’ that is about 64 feet long, 14 feet wide and 27 feet high to tunnels that are 4 feet wide and 6 feet tall.
What happens if you break down in the Mersey tunnel?
The Tunnel Police will tow your broken down vehicle out of the Tunnel to a safe place either on the Wirral or in Liverpool and there will be a charge to pay for this. At that point you need to telephone J.P. Recovery Services who can help get your vehicle to a garage.
How many tunnels are in Liverpool?
The Mersey Tunnels connect the city of Liverpool with Wirral, under the River Mersey. There are three tunnels: the Mersey Railway Tunnel (opened 1886), and two road tunnels, the Queensway Tunnel (opened 1934) and the Kingsway Tunnel (opened 1971).
Is there an underground railway in Liverpool?
Northern Line trains at Liverpool Central. The Merseyrail third rail network has 68 stations and 75 miles (121 km) of routes, mainly double-track, of which 6.5 miles (10.5 km) are underground. It carries approximately 110,000 passengers each weekday, or 34 million passengers per year.
What is the deepest underground station in the UK?
Hampstead
The deepest station is Hampstead on the Northern line, which runs down to 58.5 metres. 15. In Central London the deepest station below street level is also the Northern line. It is the DLR concourse at Bank, which is 41.4 metres below.
Does Liverpool Lime Street have an underground?
Underground station
The station, opened in 1977, is connected to the mainline station by means of a pedestrian subway and escalators, accessed via a long passageway which crosses beneath Lime Street itself, and by a lift from the main concourse.