Clifton Hall Tunnel

History

Also known as ‘Black Harry Tunnel’ it was operational for passengers and goods traffic when it opened. Following a partial collapse on 13 April 1953 all trains were stopped and inspection carried out. Two weeks after the first initial brickwork collapse, following further land movement and cracking, the tunnel roof failed, directly beneath an old construction shaft.

(View of the tunnel in April 1953, following the collapse)

Witness accounts on our records from residents living on the road above the tunnel described hearing a loud cracking noise underground at 5:35am, followed by two houses, numbers 22 and 24 Temple Drive, collapsing to the ground. The tragedy resulted in five fatalities and subsequently, numbers 20 and 26 Temple Drive were later demolished. The tunnel was never reopened and has been partially infilled to prevent any further risk to people.

(Clifton Hall tunnel during infilling)

About the structure

The double track tunnel measures 1187m long and is lined throughout with brick. The tunnel is horseshoe shaped in cross section with a maximum internal width of 7.54m and height of 6.78m. Its construction was difficult from the beginning as the ground was very unstable where mining had already taken place.

There were several rounds of remedial works including the addition of steel ribbing to provide additional support to much of the tunnel.

The surrounding area was subject to intense urbanisation with the need for homes being built directly above the tunnel. Following the shaft collapse the tunnel was partially infilled in 1959.

What is the project?

Completion of infill in the tunnel where voids remain.

(View of Temple Drive above where the shaft collapsed)

What stage is it at?

Following a full Stakeholder Advisory Forum (SAF) discussion, the Secretary of State for Transport approved our recommendation to seek planning permission to complete the infilling of the tunnel. The planning permission was subsequently approved by Salford City Council in May 2024. 

Phase one is currently taking place below the ground at Swinton Football Club, with works due to finish in winter 2024/25. Phase two, which is due to begin in January 2025 and finish in the spring, will take place on an area of wasteland which will be redeveloped for housing.

(Clifton Hall tunnel memorial at south west of tunnel's now buried portal)

Local school visit 

In January 2025, HRE engineer Andrew Willison and our contractor Amco Giffen visited St Augustine’s Primary School. The educational visit included multiple interactive learning opportunities, including getting hands-on with a replica model of the tunnel, as well as guidance on potential dangers to look out for in old tunnels, how to be safe around a live construction site, and a talk on some of the wildlife which might be found in the tunnel.

After the presentation, the year 5 and 6 children ventured outside to peek through the fencing to catch a glimpse of what was happening on site in their school playing field. They also wrote their names on a piece of paper which was put into a ‘time capsule’ and lowered into the tunnel to cheers from the children. 

The visit was very well received, with many students taking an interest and asking questions.