Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Queensway Tunnel

Keep left then lol

interesting, I might try it one night.

I think the by-laws consist of sounding your horn and changing lane too, so you wont get points for these, only speeding

In the 1950's when I was working in Liverpool, I used to cycle through the tunnel most days. That, of course, was when I was young & fit & thought nothing of a quick 30 mile round trip to Chester at night just to keep in trim.

as for the kingsway tunnel aka the wallasey or new tunnel.

It was originally designed to be a 2 lane tunnel, the building of this tunnel started in 1966 and was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in june of 1971. Afterwards they decided that it wasnt big enough and therefore built the another 2 lane tunnel running along side it in 1973.

This is maybe were the debt that mark touched upon came from, but it wasnt caused by the war.

A pic of the dock exit from the tunnel notice the traffic lights?

This is the Birkenhead one isn't it? I don't remember the lights actually working but I remember when they were taken away when the lights were redone in the early 80s.

[youtube]ZdBKg-KxHH0[/youtube]

Just having a closer look at the picture of the junction chamber. Note the road surface - cast iron blocks/setts ! I remember my father telling me how slippy they were when damp. Come to think about it, they must have had the skid resistance of a banana skin on a greasy plate !! You can still see remaining ones around the grids at the kerbside today.

In the early '60's I attended college in Childwall. One night a week I stayed late, so cycled back to Prenton via the tunnel instead of getting the boat. Great going down to the river bed, but what a long drag up again. You thought you were down there for the rest of your days. I guess I wasn't as fit as Chris !

In those days, you could cycle through the tunnel after 7pm(?) All that hard breathing in of exhaust fumes must have done wonders. However, I'm still cycling - just.

And no cats in them day's either... cars were built to warm the earth lol.

Ah such innocence, now you can't even go for a number 2 without the government wanting to advise you about how you're "gas" is damaging to peoples health and the enviroment.

True. Very true !!!

Great film clip Waddi

Stumbled across this 1955 Queensway ticket in my "junk" today so thought I would pop it up. Notice it is 4d to get through

bad that they dont even give you a ticket now

1955; a year before I left Birkenhead.