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Trams through Birkenhead tunnel
#1016199
4th Aug 2016 11:16pm
4th Aug 2016 11:16pm
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,353 birkenhead
mikeeb
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birkenhead
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Why was it actually abandoned? The tunnel was designed for tram use Birkenhead was against it because of the ferry but that doesn't make sense. Did Birkenhead control the ferry? They controlled a lot of trams so would have benefited I know Wallasey, Bootle and the trains were not happy but who actually put the spanner in the works? "As you can see, the Tunnel is circular. The roadway occupies the top half. The bottom was intended to be for a train or electric tramway, but that never happened."
Last edited by mikeeb; 4th Aug 2016 11:21pm.
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Re: Trams through Birkenhead tunnel
[Re: mikeeb]
#1016248
5th Aug 2016 1:52pm
5th Aug 2016 1:52pm
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,868 shropshire
chriskay
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Joined: Oct 2007
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shropshire
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Why was it actually abandoned? The tunnel was designed for tram use Birkenhead was against it because of the ferry but that doesn't make sense. Did Birkenhead control the ferry? They controlled a lot of trams so would have benefited I know Wallasey, Bootle and the trains were not happy but who actually put the spanner in the works?
I don't know why the trams never ran: possibly Liverpool and Birkenhead couldn't reach agreement. The ferry was always the Birkenhead ferry, from when the initial charter was granted to the priory by Edward 3rd. in 1330. The ferry was eventually taken over by Birkenhead Corporation in 1858.
Carpe diem.
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Re: Trams through Birkenhead tunnel
[Re: bert1]
#1016268
5th Aug 2016 4:47pm
5th Aug 2016 4:47pm
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,868 shropshire
chriskay
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The original plan was to have trams. Quote from "The Story of the Mersey Tunnel, officially named Queensway"
"In this, the original scheme, through tram services between Liverpool and Cheshire boroughs were a prominent feature. It was for that reason that the great diameter of 44 ft. was provided for throughout, except in the branches, a diameter sufficient for four lanes of traffic on the upper deck and two sets of tram rails on the lower".
The tram plan seems to have been abandoned at the same time as the Wallasey and Bootle tunnels were. there is a vague reference to "Birkenhead's opposition to trams" but I cant find any reason for that, although it could have been because of the effect on the Birkenhead owned ferry.
Carpe diem.
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Re: Trams through Birkenhead tunnel
[Re: mikeeb]
#1016274
5th Aug 2016 6:19pm
5th Aug 2016 6:19pm
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,353 birkenhead
mikeeb
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Here it is I have read through the article again here"One was opposition from Birkenhead who wanted to protect their Ferries, another was that the government had said that they would reduce their contribution if a tramway was laid. The Tunnel would however still be excavated and built for most of it's length with a massive space under the roadway designed for the Tramway." So it was down to money. When isn't it?
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Re: Trams through Birkenhead tunnel
[Re: bert1]
#1016314
6th Aug 2016 9:22am
6th Aug 2016 9:22am
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,868 shropshire
chriskay
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Yes, the cast iron tiles were about a foot square with a studded surface and they were set in a bitumen compound. I don't know when they were tarmac'd over. There's a good picture of them being laid in the book "The Story of the Mersey Tunnel, officially named Queensway". You used to be able to buy this book for £5 at the tunnel HQ. It's a facsimile reprint of the original which was published for the opening in 1934. It's the most comprehensive book on the tunnel that I know.
Carpe diem.
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Re: Trams through Birkenhead tunnel
[Re: mikeeb]
#1016315
6th Aug 2016 9:35am
6th Aug 2016 9:35am
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Posts: 1,353 birkenhead
mikeeb
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birkenhead
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It would seem that it was an experiment and only used in sections 1935 communication " 25. Captain STRICKLAND asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any reports on the success or otherwise of the experimental iron roads, particularly with regard to the safe use of them by solo motor cyclists? The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Hore-Belisha) The reports which I have received on the experimental lengths of iron paving laid in different localities indicate that the material is generally satisfactory, but I shall be very pleased to receive any reports from motor cyclists, who have not made any special representations to me, or, indeed, from any other road users. http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1935/jul/03/experimental-iron-paving
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AQUARIUM
by lincle. 8th Jan 2021 10:47am
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Toyah . .
by GaryFromWirral. 10th Jan 2021 1:39pm
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Sunrise Tue 8:05am
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