Wapping Tunnel

Liverpool, a city perched on an escarpment that cascades down to the River Mersey, has a rich history tied to its railway development. Initially, the plan for a railway out of Liverpool envisioned a route stretching north along the bustling docks and riverbank. However, this idea faced fierce resistance from local landowners, prompting a shift in strategy. The new route that ventured into the city center from the east necessitated significant engineering feats, not to mention the construction of a tunnel. The gradient of this tunnel, at a challenging 1-in-48, proved daunting for the steam locomotives of that era. To tackle this steep incline, a large stationary steam engine was set up at the Cavendish cutting, nestled within a short tunnel carved into the rock face nearby the stunning Moorish Arch that elegantly spans the cutting. From there, goods wagons were painstakingly hauled by rope from the Park Lane goods station located at the southern docks. At the Edge Hill junction, these laden wagons were then attached to locomotives, ready to embark on their journey from Liverpool to Manchester and beyond. This tunnel, a remarkable feat of engineering, opened its doors in 1830 and remained in operation until its closure on May 15, 1972. The legacy of this infrastructure continues to echo through the city, a testament to Liverpool's innovative spirit and determination.

The entrance to the tunnel is prominently situated on Kings Dock Street, where you'll find the middle of three short exit tunnels at the western end. These tunnels converge in a brief open ventilation cutting nestled between Park Lane and Upper Frederick Street. When we talk about the overall length of 2,030 meters, it encompasses both the main tunnel and its shorter exit counterpart. While the Edge Hill entrance remains open to the elements, public access is restricted. It serves as the focal point of three tunnels at the western end of the Cavendish cutting. To the right, you'll discover the original tunnel from 1829 leading into Crown Street Station, while to the left lies the later tunnel from 1846 that leads into the Crown Street goods yard. As it stands, this latter tunnel is still in use, featuring tracks designed for headshunt and locomotive run-round operations for goods trains. Intriguingly, historical artwork predating the construction of the third tunnel reveals a portal that was already in place—primarily for the sake of architectural balance, its true purpose is as a storeroom. The remnants of this fascinating tunnel system are further accentuated by three striking red-brick ventilation towers that still stand tall. One can be found in the beautifully landscaped park between Crown Street and Smithdown Lane, another on Blackburne Place, and the third close to Grenville Street South. It’s worth noting that there were at least two more towers in the past, sadly demolished, with one having been located next to Great George Street and another near Myrtle Street.

In the vibrant 1970s, amidst the ambitious planning for the Merseyrail underground in the heart of Liverpool, two intriguing proposals emerged to link Liverpool Central underground station with Edge Hill junction by tapping into the historic Wapping Tunnel and the Waterloo Tunnel, also known as the Victoria Tunnel. As construction unfolded, a new tunnel was built south of Central Station, intersecting the Wapping Tunnel at a right angle. This unique design required the new tunnel to dip into the upper section of Wapping Tunnel, which meant that its height had to be adjusted—an exciting challenge for the engineers of the time. Fast forward to May 2007, when Neil Scales, the chief executive of Merseytravel, unveiled a report brimming with possibilities for reusing this fascinating underground passage. The enthusiasm didn’t stop there; in November 2016, Merseytravel's Long-Term Strategy noted the potential "Wapping Tunnel Scheme" within Network Rail's CP7 period, sparking hopes of reconnecting the Northern Line to Central Station, Edge Hill, and beyond.

To further explore this ambitious idea, Merseytravel commissioned a feasibility study, completed in May 2016, with a keen focus on reviving the Wapping Tunnel to unite the Northern and City Lines. There was even talk of a brand-new station to cater to the bustling Knowledge Quarter of the city! The findings from the study painted an encouraging picture: while the Wapping Tunnel was found to be in good condition, it did face some flooding issues and would need minor repairs. Nevertheless, the concept of reopening this historic route was deemed entirely feasible.