Closed to the public, the kilometre long tunnel is 185 years old and was once an important route for distributing goods across the city
Running underneath some of the most recognisable landmarks in central Manchester is an abandoned tunnel that most people will never see. The tunnel forms part of the now defunct underground canal, which opened 185 years ago this year.
The route allowed boats and barges to travel between the Irwell and the Rochdale Canal without paying the hefty tolls to pass through the Bridgewater Canal's Hulme link. But the construction of this expensive new route couldn't have come at a worse time. After being abandoned for a few years, the underground tunnels were once more back in use, this time as a World War Two air raid shelter. At 1,600 feet long and with brick arches 18 inches thick, the tunnels could hold an estimated 5,000 people huddling together from the Luftwaffe bombs.
A Manchester Evening News reader who wrote into the newspaper in March 2002, recollecting their experiences, said the shelter "saved hundreds of lives". Adding: "My family and hundreds of others would run the gauntlet from Hulme over the bridge to Deansgate every night before the bombs fell. We had beds and blankets for all our needs and we felt safe, and next morning we walked home and felt how lucky we were to be alive.
The M.E.N. reported that David Plowright, the boss of Granada TV, planned to revitalise the old canal by ferrying tourists between his Studio Tours and the G-Mex. The journalist said as they were coming to the end of the tour near the tunnel's western end, the guide showed her where the canal had flooded and become impassable, right underneath the Granada TV studios.
Manchester City Centre Manchester Central Convention Complex Granada River Irwell Rochdale Canal M.E.N. Explore
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Corby station parking price increase of up to 185% beginsThe area's MP and the town council are opposing the changes which are starting after completion of a public consultation .
Read more »
Scots teen helped snare one of world's most prolific online sex offendersAlexander McCartney, 26, from Northern Ireland, admitted 185 charges including child sex offences and manslaughter.
Read more »
'Rare' chance to live on Manchester street named one of UK’s top hidden gemsThe two-bed maisonette is one of very few properties currently up for grabs on the 'Instagrammable' street
Read more »
Hidden bakery announces plans to open second Manchester siteThe much-loved bakery will open its new spot on Oxford Road this winter
Read more »
Hidden Angels: Inside Greater Manchester's 24/7 Transport Control RoomThe Manchester Evening News takes a look inside the new control room at Transport for Greater Manchester, where a team of hundreds work around the clock to keep the region's transport system running smoothly.
Read more »
Manchester's ‘hidden angels’ who can watch your every moveThe Manchester Evening News was invited inside TfGM's nerve centre
Read more »