I would like to know about the river seven railway tunnel?

Question

how old is the tunnel and why can,t they build a new one

Answer 1

It was built in the late nineteenth century; quite a lot of refurbishment work has been carried out in recent years after various mini collapses and it now seems sound. However, trains are required to slow down to about 60 m.p.h. as they pass through it. It is extremely unlikely a new tunnel will be built as unofficial government policy in Britain is to 'flog all our infrastructure to death, making do and mending.'

Answer 2

I dunno, but I have heard that it is full of ghosts and demons

Answer 3

Probably because they can't spell the name of the river.

Answer 4

112 years old.

It cost a lot of lives when it was built because the navvies hit an underground spring (it was known about and had a name - "The Great Spring" but they thought that they had missed it - wrong!). The tunnel flooded several times and actually has a sophisticated drainage system to prevent that happening again.

There's no need for a new one. The current tunnel supports 70 + trains per day, albeit at relatively reduced speed.

In some places the tunnel lining is over 30' thick. It's brick lined throughout so that river water is allowed to seep in where it drains into a large sump under the tunnel bottom. Powerful electric pumps keep emptying the sump.

This system works well and the cost of keeping the pumps going is very small compared to the general maintenance cost of the railway line itself.

One of the plans for the Severn Barrage carries a railway line along the top. This is promissing because earlier plans (which were dumped) in the 1960's and 1970's had no rail link at all built in.

Answer 5

To build a new tunnel would cost millions of pounds in construction, infrastructure and re signalling costs. The goverment and Welsh Assembly would have to foot the bill and pass on the costs to the Fare payers on the lines concerned or raise the money by taxing everyone. Would you want that??

The railway has a lot more urgent repairs and rebuilds needing the cash at the moment.

Answer 6

Do you mean the River Severn?

It went into service in 1885 and is still in daily use.  There is no need for a new one, as the existing tunnel has proved safe and able to carry the necessary traffic.

Try an internet search on "river severn rail tunnel."

Answer 7

As the previous answer states, the Severn Tunnel is still in regular daily use and is perfectly adequate. I will therefore answer your question with a question and ask why you think a new one is necessary?