Bradford-Halifax Tunnel Cycleway Campaign
- Thread starter mjr
- Start date
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classic33
Leg End Member
Being watched by the figure in orange, as I was walking away. Radio in their right hand. "Followed" back as far as the information board on the right.
You can make out the smoke, that others have reported on the right-hand side.
Note the smoke coming out of the newer, small bore, piping on the right. Which means the large, metal duct isn't for taking contaminated air out. If it were for taking air in, it'd be facing downwards
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classic33
Leg End Member
An attempt made today to smash the camera, whilst taking a picture at the base of the door. They've covered the hole for the lock over, and the gap between the doors, from the inside. Which I'm sure will be in breach of health and safety regulations. It being the only exit, in an emergency.
They do not want folk seeing what they're up to. Question is what don't they want folk to know.
They do not want folk seeing what they're up to. Question is what don't they want folk to know.
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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
It sounds like you might want to think about talking to someone at the Courier?
classic33
Leg End Member
Highways England and Bradford Council.
Went up the banking to the right of the entrance, to get a view over the doors and everyone moved out of sight inside.
Only got the one picture, I'll post it later, if it's worth it.
classic33
Leg End Member
Not a lot it seems, generators to the right, with portacabins up near the car, YH19 DLW. Not visible when looking over the doors though.
The plan was to take one looking down the tunnel, as above, followed by one to either side. The foot to the gap stopped those being taken. Wary of the door being opened suddenly.
The plan was to take one looking down the tunnel, as above, followed by one to either side. The foot to the gap stopped those being taken. Wary of the door being opened suddenly.
classic33
Leg End Member
Talking to two at the tunnel entrance this afternoon. Highways England Historic Railways? workers is what they said they were. 2,500 tons of infill hardcore was used to block the tunnel from shaft two last September, rendering the tunnel impassible now.
They are now infilling ready for leaving it blocked. Whilst there, a cement mixer, third one of the day left the tunnel. Company has a small depot on the side of the approach/exit at Bradford Interchange. Work is going on round the clock, to close the tunnel, before leaving. They, "Historic Railways" have no plans on working through to the Halifax side. Blaming the two councils for "not putting the money on the table" for the work.
They've been as far as shaft five, working, and are now working back to the station. Shaft Three, hit by lightning, which seems to have given water an easy route into the tunnel. Which is another reason they are working from Shaft Two backwards.
To me, that sounds as though that's the end of things. IF the hardcore was poured down Shaft Two, any work to reopen the tunnel would mean this material would have only one way to go, down. Do that and the shaft becomes unstable again.
Unable to locate a Historic Railways, but there is a Heritage Railway Trust. However that's not them.
The Fish Hall in Bradford wasn't as fishy smelling as this. Tempted to ask who owned the vehicle parked inside last time, but thought it safer not to.
"Work is going on round the close the tunnel, before leaving."
Corrected to read
Work is going on round the clock, to close the tunnel, before leaving.
They are now infilling ready for leaving it blocked. Whilst there, a cement mixer, third one of the day left the tunnel. Company has a small depot on the side of the approach/exit at Bradford Interchange. Work is going on round the clock, to close the tunnel, before leaving. They, "Historic Railways" have no plans on working through to the Halifax side. Blaming the two councils for "not putting the money on the table" for the work.
They've been as far as shaft five, working, and are now working back to the station. Shaft Three, hit by lightning, which seems to have given water an easy route into the tunnel. Which is another reason they are working from Shaft Two backwards.
To me, that sounds as though that's the end of things. IF the hardcore was poured down Shaft Two, any work to reopen the tunnel would mean this material would have only one way to go, down. Do that and the shaft becomes unstable again.
Unable to locate a Historic Railways, but there is a Heritage Railway Trust. However that's not them.
The Fish Hall in Bradford wasn't as fishy smelling as this. Tempted to ask who owned the vehicle parked inside last time, but thought it safer not to.
"Work is going on round the close the tunnel, before leaving."
Corrected to read
Work is going on round the clock, to close the tunnel, before leaving.
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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
It does sound like they're putting it beyond ever reopening, doesn't it?
It's good time to bury bad news.
Still, it makes a change from a mysterious late night fire, as usually befits historic structures...
classic33
Leg End Member
This is Highways England, who didn't pay the bill for the water pump, endorsing the current work.
"But at the end of September, as contractors carried out a close inspection of an air shaft, water started to enter the tunnel at an "unprecedented volume and speed" forcing them to abandon equipment and move to a safe area.
Highways England said the air shaft would now be filled in from above to prevent it from collapsing."
Shaft Three is where the water was/is coming in, since September last year. Shaft Two is the one they filled in.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-50139370
Does seem as though they want it closing, and forgotten about. Also seems that forgetting to pay for the pump may not have been accidental after all. That or Highways England haven't heard of Direct Debits.
"But at the end of September, as contractors carried out a close inspection of an air shaft, water started to enter the tunnel at an "unprecedented volume and speed" forcing them to abandon equipment and move to a safe area.
Highways England said the air shaft would now be filled in from above to prevent it from collapsing."
Shaft Three is where the water was/is coming in, since September last year. Shaft Two is the one they filled in.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-50139370
Does seem as though they want it closing, and forgotten about. Also seems that forgetting to pay for the pump may not have been accidental after all. That or Highways England haven't heard of Direct Debits.
OP
OP
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Sounds like there's now nothing to lose by filing a few whatdotheyknow.com requests to discover what reports each actor has. Sounds like vandalism by people who spend big on motoring and not healthy travel. 
NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
Another update and more allegations of shenanigans:
https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/ne...tunnel-developments-beyond-ridiculous-2932221
https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/ne...tunnel-developments-beyond-ridiculous-2932221
classic33
Leg End Member
They've the 2,500 tons of hardcore infill to remove if they want to re-open it.
They've abandoned it from shaft two backwards. That was said before the dates in the piece linked.
classic33
Leg End Member
Seems more is being spent on talking about what to do, than actually doing something.
https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/ne...bury-tunnel-receives-7000th-objection-2934819
https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/ne...bury-tunnel-receives-7000th-objection-2934819
classic33
Leg End Member
Pinching the picture posted by @DCLane to illustrate something that was said to me by one of the "Highways England Historic Railway" workers earlier this year.
"The tunnel crosses under the road, before running under Tesco's".
It didn't sound right then, different direction, clearly visible on the map I've "borrowed".
Tesco's is on the opposite side of the Brighouse to Denholmegate Road to Black Dyke Mill. The tunnel doesn't pass under the A647.
Nothing heard back from Highways England or Bradford Council, to date.
"The tunnel crosses under the road, before running under Tesco's".
It didn't sound right then, different direction, clearly visible on the map I've "borrowed".
Tesco's is on the opposite side of the Brighouse to Denholmegate Road to Black Dyke Mill. The tunnel doesn't pass under the A647.
Nothing heard back from Highways England or Bradford Council, to date.
classic33
Leg End Member
There seems to be a bit of confusion as to what should be done.
https://yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/Tunnel-Group-Condemns-Disjointed-Government
https://yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/Tunnel-Group-Condemns-Disjointed-Government
