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since 1997 | by maryann johanson

London photo: Thames Tunnel airshaft

Tue Jun 10 2014, 11:46pm | 3 comments

thamestunnel6

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.

thamestunnel6a


posted in:
photo of the day
  • RogerBW

    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

  • But I thought this was for the Rotherhithe tunnel rather than the Thames?

    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?

  • RogerBW

    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).

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