Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Tranmere Tunnels - Inside the Shaft

Now Chris, if those reports were dated 1958/9, I'd put my hand up and say it was meeeeeeee !

One could say that the council (pause to hit the spitoon !)made them dangerous by sealing them up and cutting off the natural ventilation. It doesn't take much thought to make Fort Knox type entrance doors on shaft heads or entrances that allow air flow but keep the kiddies out. Have made and installed a few lids on old mine entrances over the years. It's not rocket science. Trouble is that it's a typical knee-jerk reaction to say "NO" to any proposal about the tunnels and hide behind H&S rules !

Makes me angry to think what a success Stockport's (indentical) Ait Raid Tunnels have been. THEY had the foresight to open up most of the tunnels, install lighting, maintain ventilation etc. They even have some of the bunkbeds and other wartime bits and pieces of the type that were removed from the Tranmere Tunnels after the war.

Grrrr... makes me fume. Wirral Borough Council want plonking down the tunnels and then seal them up again. The shouting and banging will stop after a day or two !!! Sorry ! That's not nice (said with a grin from ear to ear) Also in years to come, some poor sod will have to shovel up the bones and send them to the glue factory.

I'd think I'd better go and take my pills !

I can only imagine how great it would be to open the tunnels up, and have them as a visitor attraction for the public as so many people on the Wirral do not know about these tunnels and would be amazed they even exist, nevermind seeing inside of them.

Is anyone able to keep an eye on what's happening there? I wish I were closer.

Cheers, Chris.

I work up the road from it, so I can have a look after work.

Think Matty might be going there Today?

Thanks, Joe. I don't think it'll be long before it's capped again.

Cheers, Chris.

I never went im afraid chaps, was hoping someone would wanna pop down there with me tbh lol.

i live a few mins walk away. I am on nights at the mo but am willing to go 2moz if anyone wants some support

If I was sure it wasn't re-capped, I might come up again myself.

I didn't manage to get around there either. Will try later though if I remember.

Take a pill for me as well mate, feel the same way as you!
These tunnels should be open to the public, but the way "our" glorious council is, we will need a bloody good war before we see them in their full glory.
I say "bury the council" and then send in the dogs afterwards, hence "NO BONES" !!!!

Just had a look at the site. it has changed Alot since i last passed the other week. I was not sure on the location of the shaft but i reckon its in the place that they placed the skip as it looks odd. here are the pictures.

Taken @ 20:20 today









Looks easy to gain access to.

Yes, the skip is over the shaft. Anyone able to go on Monday? Take a camera, you might be able to get down there.

why Monday if you don't mind me asking?.

Because there won't be any activity at the weekend & I don't think you could move the skip.

Good to see the latest photo's. Thanks Wheels. If I didn't live 230 miles away, I'd be down on a regular basis. It would be good to keep an eye on progress and get back down below after almost exactly 50yrs. Mmmm... Chris is doing his bit from Shrewsbury, but petrol/rail fares ain't cheap.

It would be good if the "local" folk could keep a watch on the shaft and keep the reports and photo's coming in.

Thanks to all.