I took two recent trips down to bunker in the past few weeks.
First one with @stranton for a gentle plod, then we met up again Friday evening with the addition of @GRONK with the aim of reaching the 'plug hole'.
'Built in the 1980's the system spans for over 3.5miles made up mainly of RCP'.
having been before i missed this due to following the big set of stairs down a never ending stoop for a good 45 minuets before sacking it off.
with a little help from @Ojay we realized where we went wrong and gave it another go.
Here my photos from both visits working back from said plug.
First one with @stranton for a gentle plod, then we met up again Friday evening with the addition of @GRONK with the aim of reaching the 'plug hole'.
'Built in the 1980's the system spans for over 3.5miles made up mainly of RCP'.
having been before i missed this due to following the big set of stairs down a never ending stoop for a good 45 minuets before sacking it off.
with a little help from @Ojay we realized where we went wrong and gave it another go.
Here my photos from both visits working back from said plug.
Here we have Stranton debating whether he'd make it without breaking an ankle.
Gronks watch also told us it was 3.7km to this point.
First thing that surprised me was the plug hole is a few floors up and you can look right up it from the bottom.
Theres an in accessible concrete box section that carry's on past here but requires abseiling into the plug chamber to reach.
Ladders into the plug chamber which is only a few meters beneath surface with just a heavy manhole separating them.
I'm guessing the triangle man holes in the bottom of the picture where once above these ladders and later replaced.
It would probably be more hassle to ferry them back up anyway.
Theres an in accessible concrete box section that carry's on past here but requires abseiling into the plug chamber to reach.
Ladders into the plug chamber which is only a few meters beneath surface with just a heavy manhole separating them.
I'm guessing the triangle man holes in the bottom of the picture where once above these ladders and later replaced.
It would probably be more hassle to ferry them back up anyway.
Bottom of the plug in all its damp glory, it must have rained a little whilst we were in here as this was a sand/silty pit that was relatively dry when we arrived which then turned into a small pool when we were on our way out.
Manual valves for the sewage line that runs parallel with this drain throughout most of its journey.
One of the larger inspection shafts within the system looking directly up from the floor.
A lot of these shafts are missing the ladders in the systems ive been in.
A lot of these shafts are missing the ladders in the systems ive been in.
Chamber just before the bottom of the plug hole.
'When stalactite meets stalagmite'
The large steps as mentioned earlier.
At the top of these is a 4ft ish chamber requiring a back breaking stoop which goes on for eternity.
2/10 would not recommend.
At the top of these is a 4ft ish chamber requiring a back breaking stoop which goes on for eternity.
2/10 would not recommend.
Backlightin
This chamber is quite large and at the bottom of the big set of steps.
Not quite sure what the single step in the right hand side of the picture is for, any guesses?.
Not quite sure what the single step in the right hand side of the picture is for, any guesses?.
The split.
Another smaller inspection chamber.
Notice the ladders on the right leading straight to a grill on the concrete which houses the sewage pipe.
Notice the ladders on the right leading straight to a grill on the concrete which houses the sewage pipe.
Needin a poop whilst sittin on poop.
I wasn't sure whether the pipe on the left was a river/surface water or sewage overflow until on the way back when the smell gave it away.
I think i counted around 5 sets of these steps before you arrive at the split, these felt like the biggest.
In these RCP sections there is a quality stamp on most sections certifying them, it looks like a love heart with a line through it which i forgot to take a close up of.
If any one has a photo of this and is willing to share ide like to see what information i can find with it plz.
If any one has a photo of this and is willing to share ide like to see what information i can find with it plz.
Not sure whats behind the bricked up section on the left.
Middle section is a very short stoop curving to the left and takes you to an grilled overflow by the river.
Middle section is a very short stoop curving to the left and takes you to an grilled overflow by the river.
Day dreaming about Manchester's drains and there Victorian brick work.
Sewage line making its presence known again.
This bit is normally full of eels.
This bit is normally full of toads.
The outfall into what looks like a bunker from the outside hence the name.
There is a lot of washed up sh1t that's gathered up here over the years with no where to go.
Stranton in his ankle high wellies that kept his feet dry for around 45 seconds.
If anyone has any information or photos from beyond the plug ide be interested in seeing them as ive not been able to find much information on where this systems starts.
All in all a good days draining in the big ugly concrete shit that is bunker.
🫡
All in all a good days draining in the big ugly concrete shit that is bunker.
🫡
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