East Portal
Inside portal
Again
Looking back
Engineering code : Grovesend (THO), Winscombe ?
Length: - Grovesend 150m, Winscombe 220m.
Although 'Avon' is merely an authority area comprising southern Gloucesrershire and northern Somerset, it is a conveniant area to assign for tunnel description purposes. Travelling from Cardiff to Southampton I plotted a route that would take me past as many tunnels as possible.
The first on my list was Grovesend on the Thornbury branch (Code THO). This tunnel is not really worth a visit actually. Only the eadtern portal is extant, and the tunnel is open for about 30 yards before there is a breeze block wall. THe western portal and approach cutting are filled in and buried. THe tunnel itself is single track an of standard construction. The only feature of interest is the extension of the eastern portal to allow for widening of the A38.The Thornbury branch is active as far as the Tytherington quarry, and the section between the quarry and the Grovesend tunnel has track in place, but has clearly not been used in a long time.
After that initial disappointment, I headed south, to the Winscombe Hill tunnel on the GWR Cheddar - Axbridge line. This tunnel is open and forms part of the Cheddar Trail. This tunnel is single track. The main feature of interest is the southern portal, which is completely unlined and is a bare hole in the rock. THe southern 75 yds of the tunnel is unlined, enabling the southward dipping limestones and shales to be examined. The northern portla is a standard stone-faced construct. Although open to the public, the tunnel is unlit but is short enough (about 200 yds) for rnough natural light to filter in. THe southern approach cutting is deep and steep sided, I would not suggest that one attempts to climb down as there is a good access point about 300m to the north of the tunnel.
Another, trip - more tunnels, this time Staple Hill Tunnel, on the former Midland Railway Bristol Branch. This is the track that ate up some of the Dramway mentioned in another topic. The Staple Hill tunnel is open and has been converted into a cycle way, along with a fair section of this branch through Bristol. There is also a substantial viaduct nearer the city centre. Anyway, back to the tunnel, Staple Hill tunnel is a twin-traqck tunnel, and about 500 yards long. It is lit by a string of sodium yellow lights that have seen better days. Don't help photography much either, with pics coming out an unnatural shade of yellow. Interstingly, the former refuges have been filled in, presumably to prevent crims hiding in the alcoves to mug passers-by. This tunnel also has 2 shafts, which are rectangular and off centreto the southern side. At the western end, one of the platforms of Staple Hill halt remains. The trackbed is accessible at a number of points, including the old station. Although slightly less fun to explore than totally abandoned tunnels, I am glad that this one has been put to good use and is freely accessible. More should be like this.
Grovesend Tunnel - 4 images
|
East Portal |
Inside portal |
Again |
Looking back |
North Approach |
North Portal |
Inside portal |
Looking back |
Refuge |
End of lining |
In the middle |
Unlined southern section |
South Portal |
Staple Hill Tunnel - 16 images
East Portal |
Inside east portal |
Same image, with flash |
Bricked up refuge |
 Looking east |
Roof brickwork |
East from near first airshaft |
Poolof light (ish) |
Oubliette style shaft |
Flash pic east |
Long exposure pic, west |
Base of airshaft 2 |
West portal |
East from same spot |
West portal |
Staple Hill Halt |