What was this massive chamber for ?

In this video we are in Manchester looking at the Moss brook. We follow the moss brook into an underground culvert in this urbex video. The culvert leads to a massive chamber with a flood control penstock. The penstock is a kind of flood gate that can control the flow of the moss brook in times of flooding. The moss brook can be diverted into a diversion tunnel that leads down to the river Irk. The area is Collyhurst in Manchester. Downstream of the moss brook was a lot of Victorian industry bleach works and engineering works. This Victorian industry needed protection from floods so in the Edwardian era around 1907 this flood control was built. We see the Moss brook in full flood and we understand why the whole victorian flood defence was built. We also go to look at the penstock control mechanism via a manhole shaft. We also look at a seewer overflow pipe, part of Manchester's sewer system. This is an underground urbex video exploring Victorian underground sewer and flood culverts.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks to Dean for the ‘Being Boiled’ cover. Too good Dean 😉

[@TheWacoKid1963]

I to listen to it again, been some time since

[@japdog9]

hi Martin at 28:27 that's empty . . 28:39 that's full ,see the man standing on the wall , his hand in the air ,is right on top of the submerged inflow pipe , you can see the top . so when you stood at the inflow pipe the water level was 6 feet above your head as in photo the water level is at the top of the pipe .also the curved wall he was standing on is still there .

[@mikebryan7060]

Listen to the sound of Buddha. .inspired Martin. Great video.

[@GMT439]

Ref Video Title. I'm thinking a Hydro Turbine installation. PS: Massive Chamber = MC = 33.

[@clippyPaper]

Wasn't "Get Carter" on the 7inch EP?

[@1954shadow]

For Martin to explore, that’s what.

[@MartinZero]

😁

[@mikemitchell948]

Hi Martin from Canada....sewer guy here for the last 20 years...those "steps" are called flights...used to dissipate the force of the flows to reduce scouring of the infrastructure. Because there is a fair amount of grit in both sanitary and storm water..

[@phantomkate6]

Neat, thanks for the explanation

[@goodluck5642]

They’re called flights cuz I drink that water up yumm yum

[@havingalook2]

It is simply astounding the engineering and brickwork of that era. I am continuously impressed. Naturally your James was missed and his famous brews. Cheers

[@OkenWS]

Thing is Martin (bearing in mind I work in flood investigation so this is my bread and butter) you showed that the overflow was constructed in the 1900s and the industry downstream at the outfall was built possibly 1840-1890, meaning the weir wall and sluice arrangements pictured at 28:50 were there before the overflow was added. You need to look at what's *upstream* of the overflow, to find the area that's truly protected by it. My theory as to what was happening is that when the weir wall was built, causing the stream to back up to almost the crown of the original culvert pipe, that would cause a loss of head back through the network meaning that in the spate conditions you showed towards the end, there would be nowhere for the water to go and it would flood the property/land upstream. The penstock may well have been meant more as an isolation measure to allow work to be done on the reservoirs downstream, rather than flow control, especially as you would essentially need someone sat down that hole 24/7 waiting to wind down the windlasses when a storm came. Possibly a job for a Gollum-like creature. So TLDR - I think the overflow and penstock were added later than the industry, not just to protect the industry but to mitigate its flooding effect on the upstream portion of the brook. Please let me know if you know something I don't - this stuff is fascinating to me and I'm very lucky to have a job in it.

[@wideyxyz2271]

Those 1895 photos are amazing and even then you can see how things were in constant flux of change. Great video as always.

[@sputumtube]

Especially the second one which was taken in 1805, twenty-one years before photography was invented.. Lol. (I'm sure it was just a typo.) ;)

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Those Edwardian and Victorian brickie's were certainly skilful guy's, great to see how it all works, those penstock valves are formidable looking things.

[@Bender24k]

Thank you, Martin & pals. For climbing into culverts, rivers & stinky sewer holes. All those spiders! Gaaaah! And the LAUNDRY OMG! I love every minute of your adventures. Cheers from New York!

[@lolcatz88]

At least the spiders are relatively small in England! In Australia they would span your face easily 😱

[@gbcb8853]

An older map gives context. Looking at the contour lines, Collyhurst was a ravine eroded by the Moss Brook. There was even a reservoir. Looks like the whole area has been filled in to create the flat area we see today. The photo at 28.08 probably shows the old bridge within the structure of the new viaduct (dated 1905 not 1805) hence the caption of ‘stringcourse’. The arch on the right is over the Moss Brook which is about to be culverted. The wall is to probably act as a mill pond for the Bridge Mill. The square hole in the wall your photos could even be for the water wheel axle.

[@blaze1148]

he said 1895 and it is dated 1895 on the photo.

[@gbcb8853]

@@blaze1148 ah. Mistook 9 for a 0

[@billfunk1219]

Your videos are totally facinating! The engineering that goes into building these brickwork marvles is unbelievable!! I am claustrophobic and to go where you guys go would be impossible for me, yet, I totally enjoy (from my office!) what you and your guys do. Thank you guys!!

[@lolcatz88]

Yes, especially that egg shaped sewer tunnel they crawled through! I get claustrophobic in an MRI machine let alone that sarcophagus!

[@McBuggs.]

Imagine back when and even now, the dangers the workers took building these systems and how well they're paid?!

[@jetsons101]

"Back underground again" Great start for a Martin Zero Video...... I tip my hat to all the unknown & forgotten workers that built all the infrastructure we all take for granted today. Those old B&W photos were Amazing. I bet that you all celebrated the end of the day with a long hot shower, use of the washer and dryer and a bit of body spray.....

[@BlackcloudRailways]

Surge chamber, when the penstock is lowered the water upstream of it doesn't stop suddenly. It has to go somewhere until it finds a level and backs up in the tunnel.

[@MartinZero]

It doesn’t really back up, it diverts to a different route

[@thedrainmaestro]

yeah, thats what we explained 😄👍

[@waverleyjournalise5757]

​@thedrainmaestro I believe what the comment above is trying to say is that without additional space at the diversion the momentum of the moving water would create a dangerous effect called water hammer. If there was no chamber and the culvert outfall directly joined the brook, if the penstock had to be lowered the water pressure would rise rapidly and potentially damage the structure. If you think of the brook culvert like the barrel of a gun and the continuously moving mass of the water inside, then imagine the water suddenly stopping... bear in mind water is incompressible... the disaster writes itself. Oh, and if you want some serious nightmare fuel, look up hydroelectric power station surge shafts.

[@gedbentley8415]

Used to see the moston brook at the back of moston brook high school , scared me to death as I looked into the tunnel mouth.the open part of the brook was covered and filled about 1973-5 when I was at Moston Brook High School for Boys.the change from brick to concrete is what interests me the most…

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

Even though this is a 'Jamesless' video, it's still a crackin' one Martin because it's in Manchester! All four of you have nerves of steel to go in chambers like those you show. Your newcomer and our hero from Sheffield showed no signs of being nervous I would say. Roy, well, he's just totally brilliant, the way he knows about these tunnels and drains plus his photos and videos. And finally Martin, you deserve a load of merit in organising this program - it's your channel - it's mega! Many thanks for this upload, and keep up the Manchester discoveries!

[@nigelt1218]

fantastic look at the engineering effort that went into these projects all those years ago.

[@user-wu7sn7ml7v]

That brick work is so perfect. I missed James and Timmy the wonder dog. Thank you Martin and team.😊😊😊

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Brilliant brickies

[@stephenwhite5057]

Watching a bunch of blokes crawling up pipes is bearable but when you add the historic content I can't stop watching. It is totally fascinating for me how you mix the now and then and makes me realise how mortal we all are and that we should embrace our time while we can. Thank you for making and posting. Martin zero should be No 1

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Martin, I remember bits of this from your earlier videos and yet there is more to show us 👏👏 That was one hell of a ladder to scale to get to the opening mechanism, looks like that went on to the surface as well. Looks like the diversion was put in to protect the mills at times of high flow. Well done to all of you. Have a great week!!

[@gw7120]

Impressive work they did building all this , testament of their skill

[@Electobat]

Fantastic video Martin. Great job

[@johnwright8814]

Martin; "This time we're crawling through sewers". James; "Nah. I'm working. Honest". Martin; "What about the brew?". James; "Arron can brew up". Martin; "But he's not been trained". James; "Training apprentices is extra".

[@southbristolboy72]

Loving all your vids . Making my way through watching them all. Keep up the good work.

[@jayd1974]

Interesting video as always lads.And it amazes me the engineering back in da 1800’s superb👌

[@ibbobo5162]

one of your best Martin - thanks - and a tribute to the engineers, architects, brickies and all the people who built these amazing Mancunian structures. Would be invisible to us without films like yours.

[@Jamesthesnail]

Fascinating video Martin and Co., well done Roy for filming the Brook in full flow.

[@316Minecraft]

Fascinating as always! Thanks Martin!

[@Hairnicks]

Fabulous Martin, so glad you do this and I just watch! Quite terrifying to see the Moss Brook in flood, great video Roy.

[@MrTech1210]

Martin,,, So Soo!! Fascinating as always. I love your educational knowledge on these old infrastructures. I’m so interested and fascinated by the olden era of engineering. Incredible, great content as always! Thank you

[@Limosical]

The works is probably my favourite drain, I'd love to see Hulme Flume one day if it's still possible

[@user-yd5zo9dg8x]

Another great video Martin and gang, It’s been a while since I’ve worked in and around culverts and sewers etc and what blood, sweat and tears that must have gone into these engineering marvels. Sorry to add the boring bit (and I’m sure Roy checked them ) but always be wary of the metal access steps built into the brickwork, some can be badly corroded and weak (a bit lit the rickety bridge in front of the penstock gate), the modern equivalent steps are plastic coated. Looking forward to the next video already! (Bill Horrocks, ex BMF).

[@andyhill242]

This was brilliant, Martin, thank you. I certainly appreciate you doing these things, as I no longer can.

[@brandonoswald2392]

Been a tough weekend. A Martin Zero update was just what I needed!

[@hiddeninsweden]

Thanks team Martin for a great episode, over and out.

[@robmez]

Excellent work again Martin , brilliant workmanship by people who knew how to control the water and built things to last

[@DnBclassictunes]

Unreal. The brickwork is so amazing. Hats off to the people that built this.

[@johnn8244]

Thanks Martin, this is another fascinating video.

[@suemitchell4345]

Amazing video! Keep em coming xx

[@petedemaio168]

Great stuff Martin. I just watched the older video last week and here you are again. It's like 3 years didn't happen.

[@andrewpearson3365]

Back into Morlock territory - love it! Fascinating stuff as ever, Martin, and Roy's footage of the brook in full spate really drives the message home.

[@stevewilcox6375]

Another great video of your exploration. Thanks for this, always make my Sundays! I love the music in the background too, takes me back to my youth.😊

[@FilthyTheDog1]

Brilliant. One of my favourite videos of yours, Martin. The insane amount of engineering, brickwork and attention to detail that went into the construction of this network of tunnels and that penstock... Wow. Just as a side note, I work in municipal water main leak detection and one of the things we hear a lot is that 'leaks surface' - i.e. they always appear above where the leak is. No they don't. They seep underground and run into structures like this!

[@BunionOverchuff]

I used to play down there as a kid. Forgive me because I’ve only just pressed play but is it near Broadway (Dual carriageway)? There was a story of a boy who went in a tunnel and never came out we called it Damien’s tunnel. They were the days. May of been Moston Brook actually.Thanks Martin

[@olliethorley88]

Great video again Martin. Very informative and interesting. Thank you

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Really enjoyed that. Love it when you look around these places. Thanks for taking me along. Please take care

[@dulciemargaretcolton145]

We loved going with you all for this one guys. Amazing. Thanks

[@peterkilvert2712]

Another great video. Thanks for the journey.

[@debonweb]

Wow ! Another corker. Thanks so much Martin and guys ....... sooooo interesting. Some of that brickwork is just beautiful. I couldn't help being a bit scared for you though! Even more so when I saw that old footage of Roy's ......

[@FontaineDerby]

Great stuff as usual. I love your stuff. It explains so many things that puzzled me when I was growing up in Manchester.

[@TheGreatest1974]

Great video as usual Martin. You have one of the best history channels on KZbin. 👍🇬🇧

[@jmad8163]

Thanks martin great video. And thanks roy for the amazing floodwater footage at the end of the video

[@Rymunin]

Yay back to the rivers :D Thanks for this one Martin.

[@Marc_von_Hoffrichter]

Thanks Martin. Great video cobber. Cheers.

[@MartinZero]

My pleasure

[@derelictmanchester8745]

Great Stuff Martin

[@russchapman2281]

Great video as always 😄😄

[@Qugar666]

This was very very interesting. What a complex underground construction, and so great with the supplementing old fotos and flood fotage. Thanks for sharing guys.

[@rossdtool]

Great stuff as usual.❤

[@proffessasvids]

Cheers for that. Beautiful engineering xx

[@UsualmikeTelevision]

This was a great video. I've been a fan so long of this channel I remember the works shot in 2019 you showed! Thank you!

[@danam2584]

That brickwork is insane. Another great video Martin!

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

Good adventure, taught a thing or two about Victorian/Edwardian engineering. Glad to see Marcus again.

[@davedear929]

Without you guys Mr Average like me has no idea what is down there. Fascinating. You all get the big balls award from me. Many thanks Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Dave 👍

[@stephengilchrist6595]

This is urbex gold! Well done chaps 👍

[@bobjackson6524]

Loved that, Thank you 🙌

[@brooksrownd2275]

Love the tour and history presentation!

[@kellygalvin7775]

Those black and white bite pics were fantastic, thanks Martin

[@nevilleenglish]

Thanks. Wonderful video.

[@markwolf8152]

Another fantastic video and I just love the engineering in these hidden worlds. Thanks for sharing

[@khrispy]

Top notch content! Fascinating stuff

[@martin4787]

Thanks Martin, Roy and I thank you all. I've always loved history. This is how history should be taught in schools, so we never forget where we came from. We forget our history at our peril Martin and I thank you all once again for bringing it to life.

[@Tractors_steam]

Excellent video.

[@adamdnewman]

Martin you videos are always an educational cinematic adventure

[@Dave1976.]

Fantastic vlog as always. Uncovering what's under neath the ground we stand on and understand the water sewers

[@oldmanhuppiedos]

Thank you Martin for exploring the tunnel That was a fun episode.

[@MartinZero]

Hello, and thank you glad you enjoyed

[@huibertlandzaat1889]

You made a very interesting video. Thank you for uploading.

[@ernestbailey9194]

What a lovely video, I take my hat off to you for exploring and showing us all the wonderful history of the area. Keep safe.

[@Fudgebrownies8]

Love your videos Martin ❤

[@marksrailwaytrails8925]

Outstanding Martin love your videos

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Mark

[@keith800]

Lovely video , never cease's to amaze me these underground structures and the design and workmanship of them silent hidden monument's to those who built them.

[@laurenceallen8277]

Clay kickers?

[@kanalismus35]

Great video, very rare to find videos like this. Thank you for your work!

[@MartinZero]

Hey how are you. Love your videos 👍

[@JammyJan007]

Absolute joy....Thanks team 😁

[@MartinZero]

Thank you too!

[@thekenneth3486]

Outstanding that Roy thought to take those videos of the flood stage!

[@darreno9874]

What an incredible piece of water management. Thanks Martin, God bless

[@fac51nh]

Hi Martin i love all the videos you and the gang make especially the Collyhurst ones, without that flood control it would be chaos where Moss Brook joins the river Irk and in past years it has lead to collyhurst road being flooded by an over flowing Irky(what we call the river Irk). i aprepreciate all the effort you put into your videos, keep up the amazing job you do and Thanks once again

[@user-wz4fq3dj2i]

Hi Martin great to. watch very informative your one on the Williamson tunnels had the honor to go down them many years ago before they were opened to the public keep up the good work bobby the bootle buck😊😊

[@stephenknight6596]

Fantastic location and informative video!

[@andrewmaurerandrew6801]

Quality as always top men

[@MrSteffen2020]

Thanks you Martin for nice video see you next time

[@Wedgedoow]

Awesome, your very brave entering those culverts, the clips from Roy demonstrated the power of floodwater very entertaining video, thanks for posting.

[@thedrainmaestro]

Great video, really enjoyed this explore , no nachos though!🤣😄

[@MartinZero]

Soggy Doritos

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

YES ! Finally watched and another contender for favourite video . The thought and skill that’s gone into that area is mind boggling . On the drawing they are blue pipes but in real life that are beautifully build brick pipes . Doing a very important job but very beautiful at the same time . Thanks for taking us down there Martin 🙏🏽🤜🏽🤛🏽🧱👍🏽🤩

[@MartinZero]

We threw the drawing up quick as a visual aid. Do you want to visit it ?

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

@@MartinZero. I would love to ! As soon as I’ve had my hip replacement and I can walk properly 😁🧱👍🏽

[@christophero1969]

Wow! An incredible video, stay safe.

[@davidjack9217]

Great video - well worth recording for history (scary outflow in flood)

[@johnstilljohn3181]

That was an amazing exploration, mate....

[@hyperballadbradx6486]

Aaaah the Irk Valley.... home :D I especially love how fascinating the remains are down Sand Hills. Every time I am walking there I think of your footage and explores.

[@nezbitt1469]

Fantastic video which compliments your previous videos of this area. So much architectural history left to be seen beneath the horrible concrete jungle we now call Manchester. Thank you guys so much for showing us these hidden gems 👍🏻

[@joostvansurksum5533]

Thanks for this beautiful documentary. I really enjoyed seeing the whole infrastructure and remains of the historic buildings. Absolutely stunning! 😍 Regards from the Netherlands.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed 👍

[@donaldpetersen2382]

Excellent diagram, much appreciated

[@lisaperrin3298]

Great video thank you 😊❤👍

[@robertmaitland09]

Wow, amazing work done by the engineers of the past. Good to see you on the TUC vid the other day.

[@jamesbrett6518]

Shhh! He doesn't want the world knowing who he works for!