Report - Longbridge Tunnels - Birmingham - December '15

[Mr Sam]

I think nearly everyone and his doggo went here so i never posted a report at the time. The first 2 shots are of the last Mini to leave Longbridge which I'm sure some of you photographed in situ about a decade before.

Longbridge Tunnels

Explore this photo album by Sam Tait on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

The ‘Shadow Factory Tunnels’ are the remnants of Lord Austin’s secret plans that were hatched to bolster British military might in the face of German military aggression in the arms race that led up to the start of the Second World War.
This was where munitions workers produced the Merlin engines that powered the Spitfires and Hawker Hurricanes used to regain control of the British skies during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The Shadow Scheme involved two parts - building nine new factories and extending existing factories - including the Longbridge plant.
Australian-born industrialist and Conservative MP, Lord Austin - also the founder of Austin Motors - had already contributed to the war effort in the First World War, turning his factories to munitions and engine production.
After the war, the factory returned to producing automobiles and the tunnels were abandoned.
By the late 1960s, the Longbridge plant was the second largest car plant in the world.
But since the collapse of MG Rover, part of the site was redeveloped for housing and commercial purposes

 

[MrDevla]

Are these sealed up tight these days as I’ve not seen many reports in the past few years. Looks like an unusual explore

 

[ToMpLuMbZ]

Can you still get in

 

[Yoshimitsu93]

Can you still get in

I would like to know also! Always been Curious regarding this place!

 

[Bikin Glynn]

Can you still get in

that one is backfilled & bricked so unless u have a 360 No!

 

[Seffy]

Always liked these tunnels. Good report mate - some very well lit photos there.

 

[paulpowers]

Can you still get in

If you take a spade