It would seem that it was an experiment and only used in sections 1935 communication " 25. Captain STRICKLAND asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any reports on the success or otherwise of the experimental iron roads, particularly with regard to the safe use of them by solo motor cyclists?
The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Hore-Belisha) The reports which I have received on the experimental lengths of iron paving laid in different localities indicate that the material is generally satisfactory, but I shall be very pleased to receive any reports from motor cyclists, who have not made any special representations to me, or, indeed, from any other road users.
It would seem that it was an experiment and only used in sections 1935 communication " 25. Captain STRICKLAND asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any reports on the success or otherwise of the experimental iron roads, particularly with regard to the safe use of them by solo motor cyclists?
The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Hore-Belisha) The reports which I have received on the experimental lengths of iron paving laid in different localities indicate that the material is generally satisfactory, but I shall be very pleased to receive any reports from motor cyclists, who have not made any special representations to me, or, indeed, from any other road users.
I'm inclined to disagree, for the following reasons: 1). I think that Hore-Belisha (Belisha crossings), when he says "in different localities" that he meant on different sites around the country; he wouldn't have used the word "localities" if he'd meant on the same site.
2). The book says "A contract was entered into between the principle contractors and the Stanton Iron Works Co. Ltd. whereby they undertook to supply nearly half a million square sections of cast iron...whilst over 25,000 plain half sections were also supplied for the channels. In addition to these, special size sections were manufactured to provide the roadway in the two junction chambers." The roadway surface is 36 feet wide: if we agree that each tile is 1 foot square (see picture), then 450,000 would cover a length of about 12,500 feet, or over 2.3 miles. As far as I can tell, only where the tunnel crossed the Mersey Railway tunnel were 2000 square yards of rubber paving blocks on a cast iron base laid to reduce vibration.
I wish my body were as sharp. I was educated when grammar was still important; linguistic subtleties too. If you're interested in the tunnel, you should ring George's dock and see if the book is still available.
I wish my body were as sharp. I was educated when grammar was still important; linguistic subtleties too. If you're interested in the tunnel, you should ring George's dock and see if the book is still available.
That's the problem with old age. My Grandad was the sharpest I knew and, ah well Regarding your question. I am (or one is ) interested in the tunnel and would ask, is the book worth £15? if you say it is then that is a good buy. You will not get it for £5 because it seems a bit rare now I was looking on amazon and it averages between 10 and 15 pounds. Georges dock building. Night, Day and Speed I want to know more of That speed sculpture should be next to a Rodin
Incidentally, I lived about 100 yards from the Queensway Tunnel entrance when I was a child and it was an endlessly busy, fascinating place to young eyes. The traffic jams that built up on all the surrounding roads, especially of a Friday evening, were something to see.
The tunnel was also handy when the shilling ran out in the leccy or gas meter at home. If the shops were closed, we would dash across to the toll booths with a handful of change - nimbly weaving in and out of the cars - to ask the booth man for a 'silver shilling'.
On the subject of the road surface: My memory may be fooling me, but I seem to remember that the roadway at the entrance to the tunnel was made of large metal sheets covered in tarmac, not small tiles. In the summer heat, the tarmac boiled up into big bubbles, which we kids took delight in bursting - again risking being run over.
Thank God health and safety hadn't been invented then!
Hi yoller That book seems to be called 'The Mersey Tunnels: The Story of an Undertaking' The book Chris was referring to was 'The Story of The Mersey Tunnel Officially named Queensway'
You're right - my mistake. Yes, they are two different books and the one recommended by Chris, 'The Story of The Mersey Tunnel Officially Named Queensway' is the better one. Sorry about that.
Incidentally, I lived about 100 yards from the Queensway Tunnel entrance when I was a child and it was an endlessly busy, fascinating place to young eyes. The traffic jams that built up on all the surrounding roads, especially of a Friday evening, were something to see.
The tunnel was also handy when the shilling ran out in the leccy or gas meter at home. If the shops were closed, we would dash across to the toll booths with a handful of change - nimbly weaving in and out of the cars - to ask the booth man for a 'silver shilling'.
On the subject of the road surface: My memory may be fooling me, but I seem to remember that the roadway at the entrance to the tunnel was made of large metal sheets covered in tarmac, not small tiles. In the summer heat, the tarmac boiled up into big bubbles, which we kids took delight in bursting - again risking being run over.
Thank God health and safety hadn't been invented then!
"The traffic jams that built up on all the surrounding roads, especially of a Friday evening, were something to see" Thanks for sharing yoller, love it I wish I was kid again
You're right - my mistake. Yes, they are two different books and the one recommended by Chris, 'The Story of The Mersey Tunnel Officially Named Queensway' is the better one. Sorry about that.
Unfortunately, I haven't got either of the books. I did have 'the story of an undertaking' many years ago, but don't know what has happened to it. However, I have read both books and it was probably in Liverpool Central Library, where I did some research about the tunnel a while back. I think there may also be copies of the books in Birkenhead Reference Library and at Wirral Archives. It might be worth enquiring at these places.
Some years ago I was in Harrogate and asked for directions from a smart old gent wearing a blazer with a Royal Engineers badge.On hearing my accent he said he was on Merseyside during the war as a major running a bomb disposal unit and the first place he was directed to set up a workshop was in the bottom half of the Mersey tunnel.He said at the time it was a dangerous place to handle explosives but was ignored and told to carry on and did so until about a year later when he was moved to a better place. So we could have ended up with a disaster.
Some years ago I was in Harrogate and asked for directions from a smart old gent wearing a blazer with a Royal Engineers badge.On hearing my accent he said he was on Merseyside during the war as a major running a bomb disposal unit and the first place he was directed to set up a workshop was in the bottom half of the Mersey tunnel.He said at the time it was a dangerous place to handle explosives but was ignored and told to carry on and did so until about a year later when he was moved to a better place. So we could have ended up with a disaster.
Unfortunately, I haven't got either of the books. I did have 'the story of an undertaking' many years ago, but don't know what has happened to it. However, I have read both books and it was probably in Liverpool Central Library, where I did some research about the tunnel a while back. I think there may also be copies of the books in Birkenhead Reference Library and at Wirral Archives. It might be worth enquiring at these places.
Chris has pointed out a shop I can get to on foot Going to check it out tomorrow
Thanks for sharing joney I did not know there was a bomb disposal unit in the tunnel Was the usual traffic still commuting through it?
