Combe Down Tunnel Open Day (27 Jun 2009)

Combe Down Tunnel Open Day (27 Jun 2009)

Saturday 27 June 2009 saw a rare chance to be able to walk through the disused mile long rail tunnel that burrows under Combe Down in Bath. This is going to be used as part of the route of the Two Tunnels Greenway. Opening in 2012, this four-mile route will link central Bath with cycle path NCN24 at Midford. The route also comprises the shorter Devonshire Tunnel (north entrance currently buried) plus various existing public routes such as Linear Park and Lyncombe Vale. New bridges will also be added to take the route over busy roads. The overall route is nearly flat and considerably shorter than the otherwise extremely hilly road route to the same location. Hard hats and torches were required for the walk, which took over 20 minutes. Chemical reactions of fuller’s earth and limestone were visible on the walls and floor. Various indentations proved of interest and the end of the tunnel was not visible until the last minute because of the way the tunnel bends. A wave of humid air hit us at the end, with the temperature difference inside and out probably topping 25ºC. Overall it was very interesting to see the tunnel and it only increases the pressure to get the full route open as quickly as possible! Thanks go to the Two Tunnels Group and Wessex Water for making this event possible.