This dramatic structure housing an airshaft for the historic Thames Tunnel was not part of the tour (as detailed here, here, here, here, and here). But I took some pictures of it anyway, since it was right there.
London photo: Thames Tunnel airshaft
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The name of the road is perfect, of course. But I thought this was for the Rotherhithe tunnel rather than the Thames?
I will confess to a soft spot for the Blackwall Tunnel air shafts (which have been used as a “nuclear reactor” in at least one TV show):
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6237/6244620758_2c29a3f55e.jpg
Doh, you’re right! They’re two different tunnels. It was the name of the station (Rotherhithe) through which we accessed the Thames Tunnel that confused me.
I might have to go see that Blackwall shaft with my own eyes. Did someone think that looked cool? Or were they deliberately going for a postapocalyptic chic?
The vents were designed by Terry Farrell in 1964 for the second Blackwall tunnel (the one that’s now southbound), and I think he was trying to catch the spirit of the era, or something along those lines. They are now listed structures (since 2000).