Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel
Tyne Cyclist and Pedestrian Tunnel runs under the River Tyne between Howdon and Jarrow, and was opened in 1951. It actually consists of two tunnels running in parallel, one for pedestrian use with a 10'6" (3.2 m) diameter, and a wider 12' (3.66 m) diameter tunnel for pedal cyclists. The tunnels are 900 ft (274 m) in length, and lie at 40 ft (12.3 m) below the river bed.
At each end, the tunnels are connected to surface buildings by four escalators and lifts. The Waygood-Otis escalators have 306 wooden steps each, and are the original models from 1951. At the time of construction, they were the longest single-rise escalators in the world, with a vertical rise of 85ft (25.9m) and a length of approximately 200 ft (60 m).
The entrance of the north tunnel is now built on top of the house that Robert Stephenson was born in.
Starting at the south side these photos are in order of the walkthrough.
More information:
In pictures: Building the first Tyne Tunnel
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4 comments:
thank you, I used to walk through the Tyne Tunnel with my Grandmother about 55 years ago and it hasnt changed one bit, I can still see her, especially with cuban heeled suede shoes walking all the way, no thoughts of her safety, often in the dark at night.We lived in Sunderland and she went home to North Shields.thank you for the memories.
You are most welcome. :)
You're right about it not changing one bit, I reckon it's in desperate need of a bit of a make over these days.
I say if it aint broke don't fix it. It seems to me that so many changes around the area get made just for changes sake. This isn't a recent curse...just look back through old photos of places like South Shields and it seems that every generation of decision-makers has been hellbent on erasing all trace of those before them. Generations to come will curse the short-sighted cultural vandalism of today and days recently passed. Preserve and Protect.
P.S : I used to love peddling to Jarrow so that I could go howling through the tunnel on my ten-speed treddly. I hope it still smells of fustiness and seeping lime.
Cheers.
Yeh I know what you mean but a lick of paint and a good clean up would'nt go amiss. And yes it still stinks. :)
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