Description and History of Site:-
Plans for the Blackwall Tunnel were prepared for the Metropolitan Board of Works by Sir Joseph Bazalgette but the structure was not completed until 1897 by the then L.C.C. Engineer Sir Alexander Binnie. This first road tunnel under the Thames was bored to an external diameter of 27 ft using a Greathead Shield and compressed air. The underwater section of the tunnel is 3116 ft long. When the tunnel was duplicated in 1960-67 the pleasant sandstone gatehouse in Art Nouveau style at the southern entrance was retained.

Further Reading and References:-
Ashdown, John; Bussell, Michael; Carter, Paul. 'A Survey of Industrial Monuments of Greater London'. Thames Basin Archaeological Observers' Group, 1969
Falconer, Keith. 'Guide to England's Industrial Heritage'. Batsford, 1980

Historic England Listing numbers:
1065070 Northern portal and parapet to the Blackwall Tunnel
1212100 Southern gatehouse to the Blackwall Tunnel
1246736, 1246738 ventilation shafts

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Key Words :- Road Tunnel

Address :- Tunnel Avenue, London, Greater London, SE10
Grid Ref :- TQ 38417 80790
Co-ordinates :- Lat 51.509093 , Long -0.006848
Local Authority :- Greenwich London Borough Council
Pre 1974 County :- London
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1212100, 1065070, 1246736, 1246738,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- 1897 -
Contributor :- GLIAS Database - 2 June 2018

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