ALARMS at BT HEATON PARK MANCHESTER Transmitter Site

The Heaton Park BT Tower is a 238-foot (72.54-metre) tall concrete telecommunications tower located next to Heaton Park Reservoir in Manchester, England. Heaton Park BT Tower is one of the few British towers built of reinforced concrete, and one of seven BT towers of the 'Chilterns' design.
During the Cold War, the British government proposed a communications network that (it was hoped) would survive a nuclear attack. Radio stations (including the Heaton Park Tower) would maintain national and international communications before, during and after a nuclear emergency, transmitting microwave radio signals in a network known as Backbone. Spurs feeding into the network were provided at three locations: London, Manchester (Heaton Park Tower) and Birmingham.[1] Whether or not the Backbone network plan was realized is classified, but HM Government denied in Parliament that the tower's function was secretive.
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Also present on this explore were
Beface Computing - / befacecomputinglifts
Liam LK - / @liam_lk
Exploring with Brady
Equipment used:
DJI Mavic Zoom DRONE
Sony A7s iii with Samyang 14mm full frame lens
Dji Pocket 3 camera
Insta 360x R 1 inch
BOBLOV T5 Bodyworn Infra Red Camera
Adobe Premiere Pro 2020
Davinci Resolve Studio
Ryzen 5950X
65GB Ram
Windows 10 (No Apple shiz here)
Nvidia RTX 3090GFX
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#abandoned

[@beerbuildings]

Matt: The police respond pretty quickly to this kind of alarm. Also Matt: Goes for another wander around the building to look for the secret door. Cool as a cucumber. 😅

[@elizabethabbott4406]

Well done guys I guess this site will now be trashed. You just identified an unsecured site. Maybe contact BT before putting the video out so it can be secured.

[@geronimo5537]

@@elizabethabbott4406 I imagine there are many just like it. Or they would have cared to more secure it.

[@TrippyNoodles]

I’ve been to a few of the BT microwave tower sites & most are empty of the equipment now all the big dishes & horn reflectors are long gone. I bet the reason the alarm didn’t go off is a lot of zones have been spared off over time (take note BT!). Fiber optics has made these sites almost obsolete apart from those mountainous areas of great distances where a cable would be impractical. This was once an amazing technical broadcasting empire so it’s very sad to see the ruins but also nice to see it documented.

[@ajl241]

Great video, thanks! Somewhat disconcerting that you could just wander in there, I guess that since the BT microwave network is now predominantly defunct security has laxed somewhat. Amazing to think a lot of that equipment has been there since the 60s. I was obsessed with the BT masts as a kid back in the 80s, the more dishes the better, would have been amazing to be able to go and have a look round inside. On some of the equipment you can see BT site codes (like Y***), indicating another tower it links to.

[@dreamersfantasy3254]

A great explore video. My Dad used to work at similar BT sites like this (he refers to them as radio stations). I just checked with him to see if worked there. He didn’t go to this site but said this transmitter was one of the key sites that transmitted microwaves and was linked to other transmitters across the country. I will be showing him your video 😊

[@barrieshepherd7694]

"Whether or not the Backbone network plan was realized is classified, but HM Government denied in Parliament that the tower's function was secretive." Yes it was functional - much of it is documented in a book "Beneath the City Streets." a 1970 book by British author Peter Laurie.

[@mattd5757]

Probably never to see that equipment in that condition ever again, amazing find. Great explore. I can't believe that place was left unattended wide open.

[@howiej4084]

I was under the impression they retrofitted that tower for mobile phone use. It might explain the working UPS, the clean backup generator, and the locked off sections. Be careful because if the place is an active part of the phone network, you're going to get a knock on the door.

[@peerpressureks]

WOW! That voice of that young guy. 😵‍💫😱😵‍💫😱😵‍💫 I'd rather hear that alarm! 🙉🙉 😆 🤣 I apologize. He can't help it.

[@warrenjackson7459]

Imagine you mean the kid that screeches and wails 😂 not watched this one yet but I’m sure he will let off a few cries and annoying sounds now imagine being his next door neighbour

[@shell_gone_awol]

Even though he sounds annoying, he does make me laugh as he's like a little boy. He probably wouldn't be too bad as a neighbour as they explore often lol

[@professorfalken4600]

Would rather not hear it. Unprofessional at best.

[@peerpressureks]

I feel bad now. I'm sorry for what I said. Please forgive, me for I know not, what I say.

[@theonlywoody2shoes]

Can’t believe you walked past those ladders at 19:00, but didn’t go up and look through the high level windows to see what was in that closed off area?

[@TheSecretVault]

the ladders just showed the sealed area where cables ran. We couldnt get in there.

[@DISCOTECHS]

MATT. Do you have any more videos like this of other BT Places that show all the gear and stuff still in place ? (Other than Holborn) ??

[@BobsmithMarley-uq3ir]

Went yesterday full of BT vans it is still used.

[@michellegouda3170]

Don't let Jorden anywhere near the electric fitments, he is triggering the alarms may be.

[@1961kickboxer]

Should be preserved for future generations.

[@dougle03]

That site is very much still active. Whilst I enjoyed your tour, You perhaps should not be in there, especially as there is clearly equipment still in use. There are BT vans there daily. I know you didn't really touch anything, but your visit might encourage other to visit and possibly cause damage...

[@michellemason6501]

This was a great explore video!

[@paulvamos7319]

Thank you for taking us on a tour of this awesome ye olde telephone exchange! Always happy to see another video from one of the explorer crew! Keep on keeping on! 😂 Love from Oklahoma, USA!

[@ollielewis8374]

I rekon someone opened the main entrance doors that you did near the end, and thats why the alarm went off so late. Looked like they turned off the PIR's and just had the main entrance doors alarmed, maybe due to lots of false alarms in the past? The wide area PIR's looked quite old and the site is clearly not an important asset any more as seen by the defunct equipment, old non working security devices and run down condition of the site.

[@OGGalleryCrew92]

15:14 thats a phone they used when BT fitters used to go up the pole and test the line , ie free phone calls for BT fitters back in the day ! The Temple in Heaton Park is the Highest point in Manchester, Many good concerts been held there at Heatons Park,

[@-matt-matt-]

,, @OGGalleryCrew92,, technically you are incorrect about the temple being the highest place in Manchester (even though that’s the spin we have been told), the highest place is at the rear of Parrenthorn High School, at the beginning of the video they walked down a lane (known locally as Johnny bag lane), in between Parrenthorn School and Heaton Park reservoir, on the left hand side of the lane at the rear of the school up a small hill which is easily accessible, you will find an Ordanance Survey marker stone, that is officially the highest point, I am born and bred here and even went to Parrenthorn myself. Just saying as not many peeps seem to know the actual highest point ✌️

[@DaveyJ]

great vid Matt ! I've always wondered what it was like inside as I grew up in Prestwich and used to see that tower all the time ! 👍👍

[@Dinkum_Aussie]

What a crazy horde of old radio transmitter equipment 😮 I could see you were right in your element

[@Outandaboutwithpoggy]

Well he is one of those merry band of UK Radio Hams like myself and find this sort of explore very interesting, if I’m honest I was a little envious , mind you at 70 I wouldn’t have got very far

[@gs425]

Its possible that your gimble was affected by the rf. I used to have to work under the world service transmitter in dorset (maybe worth a visit now its closed) and all sorts of odd things would happen to my car

[@equaliser2265]

They legged it and left you on your Todd.

[@Tmm42s]

We have similiar in australia, decomissioned microwave, but its still very clean, everything is alarmed and locked up... the one you entered looks very abandoned

[@brocka-lee6068]

The BT guy told me they have warehouses full of copper that was used and replace. They have just kept it for years and years. He said like warehouse after warehouse full to the brim of the stuff!

[@Lee-eu6wf]

Copper more like gold these days right

[@brocka-lee6068]

@@Lee-eu6wf Its a gold mine so to say they are sitting on. As time goes on supplies will become short and can sell at a big gain I suppose. Talk about thinkin ahead?

[@walkabout16]

In the heart of Manchester, where echoes weave, A tower of concrete, steadfast, and tall, Heaton Park's sentinel, it stands so firm, A guardian of secrets, in the city's thrall. Beneath the sky, a silhouette stark, The BT Tower whispers in the dark. A relic of Cold War's shrouded art, A sentinel transmitting secrets apart. Alarms at Heaton Park, a vigilant hum, In the realm of signals, where whispers come. Concrete fingers reaching for the stars, Guarding secrets, near the reservoir's memoirs. In Manchester's embrace, it rises high, A silent watcher against the sky. A communications dance, a Cold War waltz, Where secrecy lingers in concrete vaults. Backbone of whispers, in nuclear guise, A network concealed, under steel-gray skies. Manchester's spire, in the Cold War's keep, A silent vigil, as the city sleeps. Unseen signals, in the city's breath, Heaton Park's tower, a sentinel of death? Or a guardian, silent, standing tall, Broadcasting whispers beyond the wall. In the echoes of the BT tower's tale, Alarms resonate, a secretive trail. Heaton Park's secrets, buried deep, In the silence, where mysteries creep.

[@OGGalleryCrew92]

That sounds like a John Cooper Clarke Type Thing !

[@VikingVikingKobenhavn]

Wonderful 😊

[@stef2198]

Wave guide is the name of the tube you looked at when you first entered. And in the messy stores area that’s a power hacksaw. What was later replaced in most places with a bandsaw. Loved this explore!

[@russellpetrie119]

scrappys would have a field day in there

[@tonyevic]

Im surprised, from a health and safety point, the building is disgraceful…not to mention security!

[@dazztee]

You just Know....Jordan pressed the buttons shutting down SE of englands TV LoL

[@tonyevic]

Would have thought there would have been a cable chamber connecting the two sites?

[@jimmime]

Jordon, buttons, nobs, switches, DANGER, DANGER, DANGER!!! Thanks for the sound effects, Matt. Better luck next time.

[@skanti-sp2qz]

Many Alarms are time delayed to allow the Police time to get there and catch you

[@DISCOTECHS]

Nice one Matt.. Have you ever expored the possibility of making a map that shows your position in site.. It takes a while and you have to plot your positions all the time. It shows in corner of screen as you walk around.. Have a look at Mr Matt and Mr Chay Video from the TyPhoo Tea Factory, Central Birmingham, where this is a perfect example.. Just a thought... Hope you manage to get in the tower eventually, but dont let your mates start the lift up and surf it.. Lol

[@marksmith-ew7ir]

Great explore Matt Nice to see beface I don't see his videos much now.

[@DavidGriffiths-wt2hm]

Were you aware that there are many rooms several hundred feet below the surface of these towers? There are hospitals, kitchens, offices, bedrooms and many more. I assume that the lift was inoperable because of a lack of power, but every one of these towers are equipped in this way. I know since I worked in the Birmingham site many years ago.

[@Malabus73]

Why would they need microwaves for telecommunications. Great video 👍

[@gs425]

Because that's what high frequency radio waves are....microwaves. nothing scary

[@jimmime]

5G is microwave, if it is turned up, you cook things, trees die, and people get cancer. They say it's safe, but it has never been fully tested.

[@kc0eks]

That's what a lot of telecom uses.. Look into long lines by att

[@FM60260]

Isn't there a tunnel from this site leading to the Guardian exchange?

[@LiveLanes]

@@EagerGreatDane-mf4kb I agree I have a theory of where the entrance is. The original entrance ‘Hatch’ has been covered up but… moved of course. ;) also how the tunnel connects and pops up in places I believe

[@columbo7927]

Interesting Cheers Matthew Thank you very much

[@christopherarrington3904]

excellent explore matt !!!! love it

[@kc0eks]

You just know some of this connects back to that underground telephone exhancge

[@Ballentyne817]

This place will be getting locked down quick after this video

[@TheSecretVault]

probably a good thing

[@chelle-fallen-angel]

You see the doors are always open.😮

[@eleanoronatrike.6151]

Hi Vault I woodent make this one public it may get trashed.

[@nellermann]

in the US, that whole place would have been striped for metal and copper. we are the world's latest 3rd world country.

[@callumyr2k]

Nice one Matt. Cheers

[@robdedrick2052]

Hey Matt I remember going on a Tour of A Telephone Relay Station when I was about 10 . This Place had Space for 1000000 million . We Had a population of about 6000 . I moved away 25 yrs ago . There is over 180000 there now .

[@Lee-eu6wf]

Wow so cool to see these old place's, must be a way in the Tower MUST BE 😉😉 hoping u go back to make it a perfect SV explore ❤

[@tezwozere]

Bt do lots of alarming shit but I only walk on desks when they are sat at them but I would enjoy a nosey around with you guys lol lal fuck I been in some places you shouldn't go lol lal💜🙏💜👀

[@paulyh4531]

Excellent video , very interesting place 👍👍

[@xoaddearth8028]

Pattern generator 😂 shopping list for that analogue modular system I always wanted reads..

[@darrenkeeling-rt6bx]

You shaw you should be in there mate

[@darrenkeeling-rt6bx]

I'm shore you wouldn't go and get your self injured because you took a good friend with you love you loads and your videos are still entertaining ❤️🤩 mate keep up the good 👍👍👍👍👍👍 work 👍👍👍👍👍 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 thumbs 👍 up mate every time pall

[@MrChrisGordonE3]

That guy with you is sooooooooo annoying

[@Andrea-73]

Thanks Matthew 😊

[@GodAtum]

ironically i cant watch your video cause of yr mate pressing buttons hahah

[@shell_gone_awol]

Interesting place.

[@theunemployedtrucker]

Matt you must have a pair of handcuffs especially for Jordan when he goes with you exploring anywhere that has button's and big switches because he just can't help himself can he 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@PrinceJohn84]

I bet the copper thieves are licking their lips lol

[@elizabethabbott4406]

Now they are. As usual Matt has identified a weakness and left it exposed

[@Electrowave]

Wow, what place!

[@robdedrick2052]

Speaking of power . Check out the temps in alberta

[@robdedrick2052]

Weather Sucks When Exploring

[@danosdotnl]

NUTS

[@robdedrick2052]

If the Gov gave the Owners 50% . Gave the People The Ownership of Unit . 50% would be a Profitable Building . All You need to help those folks is Heat .

[@P-I-UK]

Brilliant mate. I only had a notification so youtube are not very Matt friendly. I see they legged it and left you on your tod

[@tezwozere]

I have walked over bt desks lol

[@anthonyjames.5170]

WOW !!!

[@SwedishChef1977]

Good one!

[@dancosminmarza2974]

That is wawe gude conduit 4 microwawe transmision

[@nakorau]

awesome

[@robdedrick2052]

Polar Vortex

[@bjorngve]

Giant microwave transmitter! So if you power this thing up you'll get cooked like microwave oven dishes in clothes?

[@TheSecretVault]

nah you can work in here when its turned on. The cables shield the signal going out.

[@elizabethabbott4406]

Did you call BT to have this secured? If not you can't care much about national heritage. Or maybe you can't be bothered.@@TheSecretVault

[@signal98]

❤

[@mrhairypalm5006]

👍🏻

[@warrenjackson7459]

Real life base for studio 54 sending the signals to the workers in the matrix no wait that’s the movie they live Now everyone has a phone they get all there daily programming from that

[@robdedrick2052]

If you woke up and there was a Trillion Dollars In Your Bank Account What Would You Do ?

[@robdedrick2052]

Sorry One Hundred Trillion ?

[@Twotierkier-b9e]

I see freedom of anyone else's speech other than your own is banned that amazes me in all honesty I really didn't think you'd take another person's freedom of speech away from them wow must be scared of getting a whipping of the KZbin almighty

[@jasonstuarthartley2310]

Shut up you haven't got a clue ? if you don't like it don't. Watch it. But don't make stupid comments

[@jasonstuarthartley2310]

Great explore Matt. Very interesting place

[@Mikes666]

🥇🎅