29 March 2011, 9:31 pm

“Outcrop Tunnel” – New Bridge Lane, Stockport

Alongside the River Goyt to the east of Stockport are a system of tunnels which were constructed between 1743 and 1818 to carry water to power Park Mills, owned by the Marsland Family. These tunnels extended around 700m in length and became known as the Double Ancient Corn Tunnels. Finally used for the supply of cooling water to the Stockport Power Station on Millgate until it closed during the 1980s, today the tunnels exist in a completely flooded state at a depth around 38 feet below the carriageway. Interconnected to the two main water tunnels were a myriad of smaller tunnels, predominantly constructed in the early 1820′s, the 60m long Outcrop Tunnel being just one of them.

Today the Outcrop Tunnel remains relatively in tact due to its inaccessible location, however the western entrance is now completely silted up and blocked.

  • The entrance to the Outcrop Tunnel aside the River Goyt. The sandstone has been covered in sprayed concrete.

  • The Outcrop Tunnel turns right whilst one entrance to the Double Ancient Corn Tunnel is straight ahead and blocked.

  • Around 2m distance.

  • Around 5m distance.

  • Around 25m distance.

  • Around 40m distance. Ahead, the western entrance to the tunnel is blocked by silt.

  • Looking back at the kink in the tunnel at around 40m distance.

Category: Tunnels

10 March 2011, 11:34 pm

Link Road 17/7

It may be true that I have been working a little too much of late, but of interest next time I am down in London is going to have a read of a 25 page booklet which includes 6 drawings on the construction of Link Road 17/7… more commonly known today as the Mancunian Way.

Category: Main Blog