The first two tunnels under the River Tyne were for pedestrians and cyclists. The twin tunnels were opened in 1951 to coincide with the Festival of Britain and at their peak were used by 20,000 people a day, many of them workers in the shipyards and factories along the Tyne. The first road tunnel opened in 1969 and the second in 2011. I first went to photograph the pedestrian tunnel some years ago, before it closed in 2013 (for six years) for refurbishment. On Sunday I went back for another look.
The wooden escalators no longer function and two have been replaced by funicular lifts (which were out of operation when I went). The remaining escalators are now used as stairs, going down only. Now I am reminded what the tunnels are like I may go back again with my camera, especially if the funicular lifts are working.
Amazing tunnels, so pleased they haven’t ‘modernised’ them, definitely worth a visit. Beautiful turquoise tiles bring back nostalgic memories of the old RVI corridors.
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