Description and History of Site:-
This road tunnel under the Thames from Rotherhithe to Shadwell was started in 1904 for the L.C.C. and completed in 1908 under the direction of Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice.

The 6,278 ft tunnel was cut using a Greathead type shield and sections of the shield lining form the access arches at both ends of the tunnel.

There is pedestrian access through the tunnel but this walk is only for the adventurous urban rambler. The tunnel contains two sharp bends made necessary to maintain the gradient of the approaches so that they could be climbed by a single horse cart.

When LPTB ran buses through the tunnel they had specially reinforced tyres to allow for constantly rubbing the metal kerbs and roofs shape to fit the bore of the tunnel. Archways, portals and ventilation shafts are listed grade II.

Further Reading and References:-
Edward Henry Tabor, 1908, The Rotherhithe tunnel. Minutes Proc. Institution Civil Engineers 175, 190 - 251 + plates 3 - 4 [Includes discussion]

Denis Smith, 2001, Civil engineering heritage, London and the Thames Valley (page 17)

HEW 2204

Help us improve this entry

The compilers welcome corrections or additional information on all sites.
Any information provided will be verified before appearing on the web site.

Email comments

Key Words :- Road Tunnel

Viewing the Site :- Visible by car. Entrances can be viewed from nearby streets.

Address :- Brunel Road, Rotherhithe, London, Greater London
Grid Ref :- TQ 35338 79783
Co-ordinates :- Lat 51.500789 , Long -0.051574
Local Authority :- Southwark London Borough Council
Pre 1974 County :- Greater London Council
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1242218, 1385848, 1242219, 1260101,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- 1908 -
Record Date :- 2 June 2018

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © GLIAS Database