Archived Topic
Topic ID 448
19/01/2005 by TVA
Road Works at the Old Cross
I couldn't help but notice that the cross roads outside Hertford Library has been closed and cordoned-off for repairs for several days. The local newspaper reports that the cause was subsidence, apparently due to the collapse of a section of "ancient tunnel".
“The Mercury has been investigating the town’s subterranean past and discovered an old map showing an ‘ancient subterranean passage’ running from Bailey Hall to Fore Street as well as blocked entrances to tunnels under shops in the town.” - Hertfordshire Mercury, 7 January 2005, page 21.
When the road-works first started I asked the gentleman who runs the nearby Chinese restaurant, Empire, if he knew any details. He informed me that the tunnel runs beneath Old Cross from the Castle, past the Library and into Port Vale, according to workmen he spoke to at the scene.
They've only implemented a temporary solution so more substantial work is still required which could be disruptive at such a key location in the town centre.
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 3589
19/01/2005 by smileyoriley
do you mean the 3 way section with the lights? I was there last night and it looked like the traffic was going ok etc
Reply ID 3591
19/01/2005 by Bengeobabe
it was shut friday night to early monday morning for essential maintenance.
Reply ID 3611
19/01/2005 by jez_p
I am having Deja Vu - isn't there already a thread about this.
Reply ID 3664
21/01/2005 by TVA
This week's Hertfordshire Mercury has more on the Old Cross tunnel (see page 26). Apparently it's a big tunnel, large enough to walk through it standing upright! The local authorities say it's "natural":
Mercury photographer Mike Poultney recalled that 15 years ago frogmen clearing out the river beside the Woolpack pub in The Wash discovered a tunnel.
"They said it was under the water line and they could easily walk through it. It runs under Old Cross and on to McMullen's brewery."
- Mercury, 21 January 2005.
If this is a natural phenomenon locally, one cannot help but wonder how many other "natural" or man-made tunnels lie beneath the streets of Hertford and what secrets might they contain...
Reply ID 3665
21/01/2005 by JohnSmith
TVA, try reading the story again. I think you've decided what it is beforehand and chosen random words from the article to make it fit what you believe!
Reply ID 3667
21/01/2005 by jez_p
Yes the article that I read said that the reason for the subsidence in Old Cross was not a man made tunnel - just natural subsidence.
Reply ID 3668
22/01/2005 by TVA
JohnSmith, try reading the story again yourself. I have it in front of me here on my desk. You will find that everything I wrote is true, and the quote is accurate, so what is your point, exactly?
You accuse me of quoting the article selectively. I therefore ask you: which part of the article do you claim contradicts what I wrote?
If one of us seeks to ignore the parts of the story that he does not want to hear, Sir, it is you. [:)]
Reply ID 3669
22/01/2005 by TVA
jez_p: "Yes the article that I read said that the reason for the subsidence in Old Cross was not a man made tunnel - just natural subsidence."
Nobody is suggesting that the Old Cross tunnel was man made. In your rush to jump on JohnSmith's bandwagon and reject the original story you have ended up arguing against points that were not even made.
You may not like it, but everything I wrote in my post of 21 Jan 2005 : 20:59:47 still stands. [:D]
Reply ID 3675
22/01/2005 by smileyoriley
damn, have just used my copy to clean the windows (all it's useful for these days)
Maybe we should just organise a field trip to decide for ourselves!
9 replies