London photo: Thames Tunnel airshaft

Tue, Jun 10, 2014

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.

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RogerBW

Wed, Jun 11, 2014 3:04pm

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

MaryAnn Johanson

reply to RogerBW

Thu, Jun 12, 2014 9:23am

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

reply to MaryAnn Johanson

Thu, Jun 12, 2014 9:32am

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).