This fine aerial photo was used as the frontispiece of the book "Outline plan for the County Borough of Birkenhead". This was commissioned by the Council and published in 1947. More of this book in a separate post. There are many features in this photo which only the oldest of codgers will recognise; for instance, Town station in the bottom left corner. The tunnel entrance looks complete, but appears to have some curved seating at the left in preparation for the opening. My question is: what's missing from the picture?
I know I've posted this before, but years ago. I'd ask any of the old codgers who remember it, not to give the answer; give the youngsters a chance.
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I looks like there is no Pacific rd ventilation shaft You can see the entrance to Morpeth dock which is the location of the shaft Looking at the picture it is quit clear what is no longer there today
I looks like there is no Pacific rd ventilation shaft You can see the entrance to Morpeth dock which is the location of the shaft Looking at the picture it is quit clear what is no longer there today
I looks like there is no Pacific rd ventilation shaft You can see the entrance to Morpeth dock which is the location of the shaft Looking at the picture it is quit clear what is no longer there today
Well spotted. You might want to revise that last sentence; the whole point is that it is there today. Although it's at the bottom of Pacific Rd., it's normally called the Woodside shaft. If you enlarge the picture you can see what looks like a crane jib on the site; maybe they've just started construction. This is an example of the last minute panic when it was realised that more ventilation, at a cost of over an extra £2 million, was needed.
This is an example of the last minute panic when it was realised that more ventilation, at a cost of over an extra £2 million, was needed.
When was that picture taken?
I don't know. I've no idea how long it took to build the Woodside ventilation shaft, but as far as I know, the tunnel wasn't opened before it was functioning. It's odd that seating appears to have been installed at the entrance; I wouldn't have expected that unless opening was to be soon after.
That picture appears to be 1934 Here it is from Britain from above, titled: Preparations for the opening of the Queensway Tunnel, Hamilton Square and environs, Birkenhead, 1934 http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw045191 If you zoom in on the Woodside shaft location you can clearly make out a crane Maybe the main shaft was not needed based on 1934 traffic levels As the estimated traffic built up over years the shaft would be finished I don't know
Well found: I'd looked on Britain from Above but not found it. According to the annotation, the picture was taken in July 1934 and the tunnel was opened on 18 July, so it was opened before the Woodside shaft was built, as you suggest. I have the name of a contact in Merseytravel who shoud be able to give more info. but she's away until 22 nd. of August. Another question arises from the picture; why the big loop from the entrance, via Sidney St., to the Woodside shaft?
Last edited by chriskay; 9th Aug 20165:58pm. Reason: Added last paragraph.
Here is another one from July 1934 over the Liverpool shafts You can see North John st and New Quay shafts completed but Georges dock shaft, although well underway and further along than the Woodside shaft, it is not complete and a lot of work still needed before it is operational http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw045194 This afterthought of more ventilation seems to have not affected the opening of the tunnel Again I don't know, just guessing
