Report - Longbridge Tunnels, Birmingham. Nov 2015

[wellingtonian]

Longbridge Tunnels
​

Visited during an interesting nights exploring in Brum with @Lenston

Here's some history shamelessly lifted from from his excellent report:

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

Here's the iconic shot of ladies building the engines during the war

And on with some shonky pics.

Lenston doing what he does best

Some sections had been painted and were really well preserved

That bin......

Thanks for looking

 

[Lenston]

Some quality pics there mate, was good fun this. Great history in these tunnels

 

[wellingtonian]

Some quality pics there mate, was good fun this. Great history in these tunnels

Cheers fella. Was a top night

 

[clebby]

Whilst I'm deeply hurt that you came to my hometown and didn't let me know this is a quality report

 

[Camera Shy]

Good stuffs

 

[wellingtonian]

Whilst I'm deeply hurt that you came to my hometown and didn't let me know this is a quality report

Ooops, my bad Was a last minute thing mate. Be good to hook up sometime though

 

[clebby]

Ooops, my bad Was a last minute thing mate.

You're John and @Lenston is Yoko

 

[ACID- REFLUX]

Top stuff mate

 

[Lancashire lad]

nice man , need to get me some tunnels under my belt looks great

 

[Seffy]

Yes to that mate, good job all round fellas

 

[paulpowers]

Nice

I thought the entrance had been built over but I'm happy to be wrong

 

[wellingtonian]

Nice

I thought the entrance had been built over but I'm hapy to be wrong

One of the entrances has large scale building works adjacent to it. Won't be long before it's sealed for sure.
The other, again on a building site but not as advanced, might last a little longer.

 

[mw0sec]

Particularly liked the before & after shots.