This drain is one I have explored several times over the last twelve years despite only having traversed the upper half of the system.
This visit with @Llama and @obscureserenity didn’t change that as the focus was on seeing the more modern northerly addition to the drain which was constructed in 1983.
A few years back on a series of trips devoted to following the course of the River Westbourne (Ranelagh Sewer) with @tallginge , we entered a complex series of chambers where two branches of Ranelagh Sewer met (First photo, taken in April 2019).
This is close to Abbey Road where the famous Beatles album of the same name was recorded.
These next three photos (also taken in April 2019 when oddly there was sewage flow on a dry day) show this modern chamber where a 4ft tunnel joins from the north and a 6ft tunnel leads southwards.
It was in this chamber where we began our explore, and thankfully on this occasion, it was clean and practically dry.
It was only a short way along before we passed a connection above which was a small dropshaft from another tributary of the Ranelagh Sewer coming from the west.
From this point, the storm relief tunnel increased in diameter to 7ft and it was only a few minutes until we found this interesting staircase which was a pleasant surprise.
A little further downstream was a 4ft connection that joined from the west.
There was a bit of a walk until we reached a chamber that I recognised.
We were now at the junction where this modern addition joins the original beautiful brick built storm relief which as it happens, celebrates its centenary this year.
From here, we took the short walk up to the upstream part of the 7.5ft NWSRS to have a quick look at the outstanding brickwork in the overflow chamber for the Ranelagh Sewer in Maida Vale.
There was now a reasonable walk in a southerly direction until we met a 4ft connection coming from the west with a neat little staircase leading up to it.
A couple of minutes downstream and we came to my favourite part near Portobello Road.
It’s here that the NWSR increases in diameter to 8.5ft and cuts across the older 5ft 1873 North Kensington Storm Relief Sewer before the sewer increases its depth below ground by means of a staircase.
The magnificent brickwork and incredible engineering in this part is a joy to behold. It was even better on this occasion as the brickwork and staircase was exceptionally clean and still in perfect condition.
There’s a few more photos of this section from a previous report I did back in 2018.
Looking upstream from the bottom of the staircase, it’s hard to believe 100 years has passed since it was constructed. It’s practically as good as the day it was completed.
Facing downstream, Llama poses for the camera and then it’s a few more minutes of walking down to Holland Park until the North Kensington Storm Relief Sewer crosses our path once again.
It is here that the NWSRS increases in diameter to 9.5ft and also where we called it a day and exited to street level.
Cheers to Llama and obscureserenity for the company while making our way down this hidden north London gem.
This visit with @Llama and @obscureserenity didn’t change that as the focus was on seeing the more modern northerly addition to the drain which was constructed in 1983.
A few years back on a series of trips devoted to following the course of the River Westbourne (Ranelagh Sewer) with @tallginge , we entered a complex series of chambers where two branches of Ranelagh Sewer met (First photo, taken in April 2019).
This is close to Abbey Road where the famous Beatles album of the same name was recorded.
These next three photos (also taken in April 2019 when oddly there was sewage flow on a dry day) show this modern chamber where a 4ft tunnel joins from the north and a 6ft tunnel leads southwards.
It was in this chamber where we began our explore, and thankfully on this occasion, it was clean and practically dry.
It was only a short way along before we passed a connection above which was a small dropshaft from another tributary of the Ranelagh Sewer coming from the west.
From this point, the storm relief tunnel increased in diameter to 7ft and it was only a few minutes until we found this interesting staircase which was a pleasant surprise.
A little further downstream was a 4ft connection that joined from the west.
There was a bit of a walk until we reached a chamber that I recognised.
We were now at the junction where this modern addition joins the original beautiful brick built storm relief which as it happens, celebrates its centenary this year.
From here, we took the short walk up to the upstream part of the 7.5ft NWSRS to have a quick look at the outstanding brickwork in the overflow chamber for the Ranelagh Sewer in Maida Vale.
There was now a reasonable walk in a southerly direction until we met a 4ft connection coming from the west with a neat little staircase leading up to it.
A couple of minutes downstream and we came to my favourite part near Portobello Road.
It’s here that the NWSR increases in diameter to 8.5ft and cuts across the older 5ft 1873 North Kensington Storm Relief Sewer before the sewer increases its depth below ground by means of a staircase.
The magnificent brickwork and incredible engineering in this part is a joy to behold. It was even better on this occasion as the brickwork and staircase was exceptionally clean and still in perfect condition.
There’s a few more photos of this section from a previous report I did back in 2018.
Looking upstream from the bottom of the staircase, it’s hard to believe 100 years has passed since it was constructed. It’s practically as good as the day it was completed.
Facing downstream, Llama poses for the camera and then it’s a few more minutes of walking down to Holland Park until the North Kensington Storm Relief Sewer crosses our path once again.
It is here that the NWSRS increases in diameter to 9.5ft and also where we called it a day and exited to street level.
Cheers to Llama and obscureserenity for the company while making our way down this hidden north London gem.
