Soothill Tunnel - 659yards.
Great Northern’s branch line between Beeston Junction and Batley, on the Leeds spur of the ECML (East Coast Mainline) opened to freight traffic in July 1890 with passenger traffic commencing in August of that year, The route required a tunnel under Woodkirk woodlands this was to be known officially as Soothill Tunnel (Occasionally referred as Woodkirk Tunnel) the 659 yard structure incorporated a curve of 30 chains radius extending inwards from the western end for approximately 450yards before running straight to reach the eastern portal, The Tunnel has a single ventilation shaft about 275yards from the eastern portal, constructed using a mix of red brick and stone masonry the portals are of a attractive stone construction with buttresses either side, Inside the construction is a brick semicircle sitting on stone base walls with refuges built into them, From the early days the area was plagued with flooding which ultimately brought its closure with passenger traffic ceasing in October 1951 and the Batley - Woodkirk section through the tunnel closing in July 1953, freight continued to access Woodkirk Quarry via Tingley until June 1964 when the final nail was driven into the branch line. During the late 70s early 80s the area around the northern portal was part of a landfill its was discovered in the early 90s that the heavy machine had fractured the tunnels lining the tunnels East and West portals were sealed based on both health & safety grounds and on environmental, although the area has long since been landscaped and returned to nature toxic gases and polluted liquids seep into the tunnel, efforts have been made to control this environmental nightmare with hundreds of meters of pipelines and ducting, a huge cast iron tank, and various trenches and drainage solutions, at the western end a small stone building has been added extending away from the tunnel this housed pumps and settlement ponds to a bid to neutralize the hazardous waste hidden within the tunnel, although the tunnel looks in sound shape, I do not advise visiting especially without the essential equipment. Worth noting that while inside gas levels remained moderate however even though we were cautious not to disturb standing water or mud it was unavoidable on occasion this caused a notable spike in toxic gas detection.
Thanks Guys hopefully an worthwhile report....
Thanks for looking, Hopefully a worthwhile viewing....
Great Northern’s branch line between Beeston Junction and Batley, on the Leeds spur of the ECML (East Coast Mainline) opened to freight traffic in July 1890 with passenger traffic commencing in August of that year, The route required a tunnel under Woodkirk woodlands this was to be known officially as Soothill Tunnel (Occasionally referred as Woodkirk Tunnel) the 659 yard structure incorporated a curve of 30 chains radius extending inwards from the western end for approximately 450yards before running straight to reach the eastern portal, The Tunnel has a single ventilation shaft about 275yards from the eastern portal, constructed using a mix of red brick and stone masonry the portals are of a attractive stone construction with buttresses either side, Inside the construction is a brick semicircle sitting on stone base walls with refuges built into them, From the early days the area was plagued with flooding which ultimately brought its closure with passenger traffic ceasing in October 1951 and the Batley - Woodkirk section through the tunnel closing in July 1953, freight continued to access Woodkirk Quarry via Tingley until June 1964 when the final nail was driven into the branch line. During the late 70s early 80s the area around the northern portal was part of a landfill its was discovered in the early 90s that the heavy machine had fractured the tunnels lining the tunnels East and West portals were sealed based on both health & safety grounds and on environmental, although the area has long since been landscaped and returned to nature toxic gases and polluted liquids seep into the tunnel, efforts have been made to control this environmental nightmare with hundreds of meters of pipelines and ducting, a huge cast iron tank, and various trenches and drainage solutions, at the western end a small stone building has been added extending away from the tunnel this housed pumps and settlement ponds to a bid to neutralize the hazardous waste hidden within the tunnel, although the tunnel looks in sound shape, I do not advise visiting especially without the essential equipment. Worth noting that while inside gas levels remained moderate however even though we were cautious not to disturb standing water or mud it was unavoidable on occasion this caused a notable spike in toxic gas detection.
Thanks Guys hopefully an worthwhile report....
Thanks for looking, Hopefully a worthwhile viewing....
: appreciate the comment! Nice one to tick off the list having been left alone by the masses due to its toxic nature!
