Hidden Secrets Of The Mersey Tunnel | What's Underneath?

[@dieselfan7406]

I travelled through this in about 1955 with my uncle, who was the electrical engineer for the tunnel. A distant memory. Anyone remember the red police landrovers? Many years later I worked for Nuttalls, who built the Wallasey tunnel at the end of the 60s and once travelled on The Mole as it cut its way under the Mersey.

[@IanDarley]

I remember the red Landies. I was stuck in there due to a car fire in the seventies with my mum, I must have been about 6 or 7 years old.

[@ianrosmarin2232]

they could fit a tram to it today

[@markosmith8037]

A brilliant video that shows all you need to know about these tunnels. This 3-part series has to be 10/10. What a joy to watch - well done 👍.

[@davesharp7315]

Wonder why there haven't been any proposals to "box" out central avenue and allow pedestrian/cycle traffic through??

[@johnkoenig8739]

Fantastic video. The price of the tour is extremely cheap for such a long tour and there’s so much to see and learn. It’s approaching not far off 100 years old now and in many respects, is a working museum. Much of the old running gear would probably last another 100 years. Vintage British engineering at its best 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thewiseman80]

I worked on the sky drama bulletproof in the an old unused part of the tunnel on the birkenhead side, near where they keep the mersey ferries at night. I dont know if you visited it when making this vlog, but its really scary, got old abandoned vehicles and all kinds down there from year ago. It was hard film shoot because had to commute and walk back several times to where the film unit was depp down the tunnel and then back out to units where our camera truck was. It was such a draining experience.

[@AdventureMe]

I'll have to check that out Alex

[@IanDarley]

Ahh, the old spooky disused dock exit, always wanted to have a mooch down there.

[@reddeviluk]

Many thanks to Allison for the tour. Excellent experience.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@mrlister2000]

Did Alison mention about one of the original moles in the Queensway Tunnel, that is still positioned in a side tunnel off the main one? It was too big to return back so they created a side tunnel and left it there. One of my exes worked for the tunnels many years ago, and she was given a behind the scenes tour as part of her induction and i remember her mentioning this to me. If i remember correctly there are some pipes that actually run through the machine as it was cheaper to do this than build the pipes around it. A great finish to another excellent series. Thanks Darren

[@AdventureMe]

Yes she did. Thanks

[@LittleRuth0271]

Love the video. I did the tour today with Alison and Ryan and didn't want to watch before I went. The tour is superb.

[@waynepaxford7263]

Another amazing series with great information and lots of history

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Wayne

[@paulharvey9149]

I certainly did enjoy this little series, Darren - and a vote of thanks to Alison, too. I shall never look at a road tunnel in quite the same way again!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@lindseykaine-walley6339]

It must be really something to go to these hidden rooms and corridors that we would never see or think about seeing for ourselves. Amazing! I do love your Videos Darren 👍😊

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks

[@hollimurray8856]

Brilliant series! I throughly enjoyed that 😊

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Holli

[@douglasthompson296]

Hi Daz, I once drove through the Tyne tunnel with a smashed side window (flamin scroates after my stereo)!!! Yikes I was so light headed from the fumes. I guess the ventilation wasn't as good as the Mersey tunnels 🧐 Cheers DougT

[@mrspudly1]

Fantastic series of videos there many thanks for sharing them, I realy enjoyed watching.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@causewaykayak]

Brilliant tour. Thanks to you both. 👍🏼

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@savagehamzter8850]

I worked down there in the 90's...installing and securing where the money came in with bespoke cages, also I help make and install the manual barriers at the pay booths that are still there.

[@brianartillery]

Brilliant series, Darren, I really enjoyed watching it. Thank you for sharing. Nice one. 👍👍👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@saraclayton-smithson5083]

Wow, fantastic video, love the noise levels…. I don’t think we appreciate it fully until you speak over it….. fascinating!!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@nixops]

I wish I had known there were tours available when I was in Liverpool so many years ago. That beautiful art deco building should become the 4th Grace, it is really stunning. Thanks for the look at this hidden gem.

[@AdventureMe]

All the reason to venture back one day.

[@whyyoulidl]

Many thanks; really enjoyed your 3-parter on the Mersey Tunnel. Thx too to Alison for hosting you. I'll deffo be going on the tour next time I'm up that way.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

Most excellent, Darren. Great to go right into the very basement of the tunnel, and hearing all that traffic above! Some amazing passageways along the whole length, and it's just unimaginable how big the diameter of the whole structure is. Many thanks to the lady for the permission to go on this grand tour, and to yourself for producing this fabulous series.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate.

[@buffplums]

Be great if they did tours of the Merseyrail tunnels

[@AdventureMe]

It would

[@eliz9369]

Brilliant video. So enjoyed watching the great series. Thank you so much Darren.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Eliz

[@robertmaher377]

Excellent video, i went through the tunnels for the first time the other day, i didn't know they did tours until i looked on line ,will definitely do one when back in Liverpool

[@douglasthompson296]

Hi Darren, talking about old caretakers homes there is one built on the flat part of the roof of the Cunard building. It was a bungalow type of building. I once worked for a company in there and often went up to the roof level. Maybe it's just used as a storage space these days. It might even show on Google earth? Cheers DougT

[@simonbradshaw3708]

Thank you for another really enjoyable video series, looking forward to what you have to offer next week.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Simon

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Darren, that was really a interesting video, and thanks to your guide Alison for taking you round. The tour sounds like its really good value for money. Interesting to see the refuges that were put in place following the fire in the Alps. Good luck from Spain!!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks David

[@pyrodoll2422]

Thanks so much for this. I fully intend to go on one of these tours now. Great vid and great presentation.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HowardR-gy2pw]

Excellent series.

[@kathleenrodgers4514]

I went on the tunnel tour a few years ago and recommend it , thanks for the video, I enjoyed it very much 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Great to hear!

[@adamh7588]

Amazing

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Adam

[@MrSargemneil]

Great Video ,going to do the tour now.

[@lesleyki113r5]

Excellent video. Always baffles me every time I drive through the tunnel what was through those doors, and how on earth it was built ? I will be taking my two boys on the tour 😀

[@AdventureMe]

Yes they will love it

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for the tour today Darren. A great experience. Cheers mate!

[@alank2296]

Great and a very interesting 3 part post, top man and many thanks ....

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks alan

[@Delred1]

Great video mate, so glad i found it.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jeffreymace6357]

We did the tunnel tour last year. Was very interesting and great value. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in how things work

[@SiRhodesDriverTraining]

Is this the Tour that anyone can go on or where you allowed in more areas than the Public ? Looks amazing.

[@AdventureMe]

They show you pretty much what I saw.

[@SiRhodesDriverTraining]

@@AdventureMe thanks Darren. Seems like a very comprehensive tour for a good price. Keep up the good work, the channel is great 👍

[@mattywilliams7932]

Class that mate. I Live on The Wirral but never done the Tour, deffo doing it now. 👌

[@TheImperfectionist91]

Great video mate! I actually live righr opposite this building and I can see it from my window 😅. Was very cool to watch you explore it on our TV while looking at the building just infront of us too. I've never done the tour but will definitely check it out very soon.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes. Give it a go.

[@fatlad5090]

very interesting daz. Did u have a good holiday. 👍

[@AdventureMe]

I did mate. Thanks

[@The_Modern_Buddhist]

Brilliant!

[@ukgforze]

Such a great video, im a local & loved this, i didn't know they did tours, this answered so many of the questions i had about the workings & construction of the tunnels, thanks m8

[@rb5174]

always wanted to cycle through Queensway tunnel

[@rydermike33]

What a wondrful series of videos. Fascinating, I will watch them over and over again. Thank you to yourself and Alison.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Mike. Glad you enjoyed

[@mickeyfilmer5551]

Just found your channel today, and am binge watching- these videos are right up my street aswell. if you go to Woodside Ferry on a weekend, there are trips on old electric tram to the tram museum in Birkenhead- very interesting.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Mickey. Welcome aboard.

[@buffplums]

I visited the tunnel many years back and was absolutely fascinated by it. I had these awful fears of pitch black vast underground spaces but was pleasantly surprised to se everything was lit except the in coming fresh air shafts which are dark except for a faint bit of light as you look up the shafts. Also it looks very clean and the concrete despite being over 85 years old still looks fresh and modern. Wouldn’t like to see the exhaust shafts though, I bet they are pretty shitty with all the crap the cars.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@DaedalusYoung]

Good to know for everyone that travels through the tunnel regularly, what the refuges look like and what's in it. If they're ever in an emergency, they know what to expect there.

[@spudmurphy9264]

Really interesting video.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Incredible Darren. What a superb adventure. You certainly loved every second. You could hear it in your voice, thank you for taking us with you. I never knew anything like this existed. Amazing. What a work went into this tunnel.

[@andywindy]

Many thanks to Alison for showing You (and therefore us) around the tunnel and associated buildings, I've never been to Liverpool or Birkenhead nor am I likely to, so this series has truly been an eye-opener.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Andy

[@geoffkeeler5106]

Another excellent video! Only one point of note - it's not "BIRkenhead", it's "BirkenHEAD"! Otherwise superb, thanks for the glimpse into our tunnel.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Geoff

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Surely Bear~hhcunn~ed?

[@Prof.Polymath]

I would enjoy that tour myself,might have to go and check that out 👍🏼 thanks for sharing. Shame my first thought was how easy it would be for terrorist to attack that kind of thing, it would be devastating.

[@lynnballington8467]

Hello Darren glad to have you back doing your interest vidio of Mersey side tunnel did you have a good holiday lots of love to you take care stay safe xx

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Lynn. Yes very good holiday

[@twelveightyone]

Been waiting for this for ages! Another absolutely brilliant video, thank you.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Jay

[@agentbertram4769]

Smashing pair of videos. Thanks. I did some survey work for electrical alterations back in the 80s. It is a fascinating engineering complex. Go visit!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@christopherjordan4812]

Wow fascinating especially the ventilation system. Smaller tunnels like those on North Wales Express way around Llandudno just seem to have large roof mounted fans just blowing air through admittedly they are a lot smaller.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@shadrana1]

Thanks for that and your guide Allison from the tunnel tour,very enjoyable.

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you

[@davidrice9880]

Another very interesting set of three videos, thank you for making and showing us these wonders the like that we won’t be experiencing.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@chrisward1008]

I've driven through both road tunnels literally thousands of times over the years, on my way to work. I've never seen underneath. This was fascinating 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Chris

[@davinacaine3615]

Thank you for this one, I’m all booked in for the tour when up in the area next month, I cant wait

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Davina

[@darrenhaynes865]

Superb again. Love the bells they should be in one of the museums.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@jules146150]

Amazing...that was me going past in the car...;0)

[@RobinHullBuilds]

Wowser! What a fabulous behind the scenes tour…

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Robin

[@mushymi5680]

Great video, I spent a lot of time over 10yrs in and out of the tunnels for fire detection & suppression. Such a big place it had to have a resident fire engineer between this site and the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@nickthomas181]

Your vlogs are so informative and entertaining thank you.Its another tour I'm going to have to book.Wishing you the best!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Nick

[@macp8144]

I live in Birkenhead and go through the tunnels a lot. But never done the tour. Wanted to do it for a while now.

[@AdventureMe]

You should give it a try.

[@johnlumley-moore2079]

Excellent part .1 ,2 and 3 .. Carry on.

[@007JHS]

Ths clip is just way too cool... So stroll on, under the Mersey... (Apologies to Gerry and the Pacemakers).

[@jamescroxford7258]

Did this tour back in 1995 as part of my engineering YTS! I vaguely remember some of these rooms however I do remember being shown the tunnel below the road deck, now I hope my mind isn’t playing tricks on me after all this time but I do remember seeing a rail track being down there and a inspection unit on the track that would run along the track allowing engineers to inspect any damage or wear and tear of the road deck and the tour guide at the time told us the unit was a model T ford that was modified to run on track! A great video by the way 👏

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@tolkienrock]

You’re not imagining it, I’ve seen it too in the mid-90s. Not sure if it was a model T but certainly a very old car with most of its bodywork removed. I’d imagine it’s still down there.

[@simonorourke4465]

Such an awsome and fascinating series of videos, growing up in Liverpool I was always fascinated by the Queens way tunnel. My cousin and I would always look out for the sealed off tunnel entrances to the disused side tunnels and would imagine what it would be like to explore them. I always wondered what lay behind the many doors in the wall, and very much appreciated getting this glimpse of what actually lies behind, above and below this amazing feat of human strength, perseverance and ingenuity. Also I must have walked past that ticket kiosk so many times and I always wondered what it actually was, inversion had any idea that it was one of the original tunnel kiosks.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Simon

[@petecotton2801]

Another great series, thanks and well done mate

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Pete

[@Bender24k]

That was great! Awesome that they have such nice tours!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@mrsgenehunt48]

Fantastic series. Thank you 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks

[@graydonmiller731]

Excellently produced. Quality.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks graydon

[@GOMOLO64]

Great video! I wasn't aware they did tours but will definitely be booking now I know, so cheap as well! If you haven't done it the St Johns tower tour is good, some great views of the city from up there.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. I'll check out the st Johns tower

[@tuxster123]

Boss that mate ❤️

[@thomaswhaley7323]

Brilliant content as always 👌

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Thomas

[@kipsome45]

Superb video…and I’m now going to book my tour!

[@AdventureMe]

Hope you enjoy

[@richardhalliday6469]

Brilliant content Darren.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Richard

[@mikeross5372]

Fascinating. In the mid 1990s, I rescued some old DEC computers from there... I can't remember if they ran the toll booth systems, or controlled and monitored the ventilation, or both, but there was a DEC pdp-8/L, the remains of a pdp-8/I, and one or two pdp-11/34s. I think I got some of the disk packs that went with them, and even some paper tape software.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Mike

[@tonydalton6756]

Driving through this tunnel is quite surreal, almost futuristic despite it's age. You pray to the motoring gods that you don't break down.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Tony

[@jetsons101]

Just came in the house from picking weeds in the back yard "garden" for a break and what was waiting on the computer just for me???? A new AdventureMe Vid, happy times.... That's a bargain price for the tour.... Thank for all your walking and climbing the stairs for us......

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Mike. It is a bargain

[@jetsons101]

@@AdventureMe Still in the back picking weeds and doing general yard work...... lol

[@a11csc]

certainly more to it than meets the eye darren

[@AdventureMe]

There is

[@jonathancoombes1495]

Great video. Thank you.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Really interesting tour Darren, It's surprising how many deviations the tunnel takes on it's way under the river.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Steve

[@Qugar666]

Very very interesting. Thanks

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@ronnievenhorst9873]

Very nice video

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Ronnie

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

Hi Darren, superb stuff, thanks to alison too, but I was thinking that the two way traffic in the tunnel is so dangerous especially with no central barrier. Head on crashes for certain.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@chrismccartney8668]

Superb Video

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Chris

[@andybbeck2043]

super as allways

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Fantastic! A remarkable piece of tunnel engineering. The dimensions - 44ft dia - excavated, I assume, without tunnel boring machinery, are mind boggling. Really enjoyable video! Thanks!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Malcolm

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

Absolutely fascinating 👏 It's interesting to note that the Tunnel still uses 1970s MPTE Verona Green paintwork. It was a trendy colour in the 70s but is rather vomit-inducing nowadays. It's a pity they have not rebranded to the current Mersey Travel yellow and silver(grey).

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@jimmysnailshoes]

£8 that is a great price, the way the traffic goes in opposite directions in Queensway tunnel and the newer Kingsway tunnel has separate tunnels for traffic

[@AdventureMe]

It's a bargain

[@anthonyellis987]

I've loved this latest series of videos. What do you have in mind for the next videos?

[@AdventureMe]

So many options lol

[@thomaswhaley7323]

Boris Johnson 😄 🤣 brilliant 👏

[@Dan23_7]

Oh ace 😁 We’re just about to have a late tea, as soon as we’re done I’m on this. I’ll no doubt edit this comment in a bit. I’ll just say while I remember I drove right past emley tower 2 weeks ago, I thought of your video, you can’t get the scale from a video, that thing is gargantuan!!!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Dan. Yes it's mahoosive

[@Dan23_7]

@@AdventureMe Certainly a sight to behold when you’re up close. I’m fond of concrete structures. I’ve got a little video on my channel of the old and new Edinburgh old road bridges leaving out from Moffat 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I did the other day while we was away. Old stone and concrete running side by side, albeit the old bridge hasn’t been used for years. I’m a crap narrator though 😂

[@rovhalgrencparselstedt8343]

I wish the tunnel tours would show the fans at their full 100% rated operating speed and not just half speed. But i guess they keep them at 50% or lower during tours due to concerns about fear of beeing sucked in.

[@MrChrisBarker]

That was a good one. 👏👏👏 But, they all are

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Chris

[@johnjephcote7636]

I remember Liverpool buying all those tramrails for the Metro. They obviously sold them on to more enlightened and ever-expanding systems elsewhere. What a pity.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@chrisskelhorn5727]

Is there much difference in the construction of the Queensway Tunnel compared to the Kingsway?

[@jimmysnailshoes]

Queensway is one tunnel with traffic in both directions, Kingsway are 2 separate tunnels with 2 lanes of same direction traffic