Leeds City centre tunnel air vents!

Brunel · Post by **Brunel** » Sun 07 Mar, 2010 8:00 pm

I have added three photo's of the Whitehall Sub Station here.http://www.flickr.com/photos/ikbrunels/ ... 448647045/

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Sun 07 Mar, 2010 10:03 pm

I don't know if this is relevant, but in period of heavy rain, Northern Street regularly floods in the area of the vent on there.Presumably the rainwater doesn't get into the tunnel (or it wouldn't flood at street level, would it?)

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Sun 07 Mar, 2010 10:35 pm

Brunel wrote: I have added three photo's of the Whitehall Sub Station here.http://www.flickr.com/photos/ikbrunels/ ... 448647045/ Haha. What time did you take those snaps?We were stood in each others footsteps today thenhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn/441512 ... cretleedsI was there about 1 ish lol

Post by **chameleon** » Sun 07 Mar, 2010 10:49 pm

raveydavey wrote: I don't know if this is relevant, but in period of heavy rain, Northern Street regularly floods in the area of the vent on there.Presumably the rainwater doesn't get into the tunnel (or it wouldn't flood at street level, would it?) As you clearly know Davey, it is not uncommon for the road to be closed and diversions via the entire loop then being necessary. The same thing happens at a couple of points at the Woodpecker junction producing horrendous driving conditions.This has been the case during even moderate rain for several years now and I have to wonder why the matter remains unresolved, presumably YW being responsible. The cause was originally attributed to blocked gullies following a dry summer - clearly not the entire picture.With regard to the tunnel. a couple or so yeaars ago, a large storm water ballancing tank was constructed at the top end of Queen Street under the road. This required massive excavation of a very large section of the road if memory serves, some 4m deep. It did not extend as far as the footpath under which I would expect the tunnel would run and there was no suggestion of its presence in the exposed area of the road. I suppose though that if it were still in use, the work will have been planned to stay well clear of any cable runs.One thing I do remember is that apparantly running into, rather than away from this construction, was a large sewer coming from the direction of Little Queen Street and the Pool (possibly along Castke Street?) at a depth of perhaps only 2 - 3 m to invert. That would suggest that any tunnel would either have to be verysmallor at a significantly greater depth.btw, I believe that the vents were actually sealed quite some time ago - probably a good move given the frequency with which the Fire Service have to soak them after thoughtful folk discard their cigarettes into them setting alight the rubbish deposited therein by other equally thoughtful folk!

Brunel · Post by **Brunel** » Mon 08 Mar, 2010 12:03 am

"What time did you take those snaps?"14:00 And you were 14:44:47

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Mon 08 Mar, 2010 1:05 am

Brunel wrote: "What time did you take those snaps?"14:00 And you were 14:44:47 Don't go by my camera time. I don't think i've ever had it set right I was there about 1-1.30. I'll probably have just been behind you along the river Aire when you took your shot lol.

Brunel · Post by **Brunel** » Mon 08 Mar, 2010 1:22 am

Noticed that telecoms inspection hatches run next to the Queen St. vent.Coincidence??http://snipurl.com/up6j4

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Mon 08 Mar, 2010 1:56 am

Brunel wrote: Noticed that telecoms inspection hatches run next to the Queen St. vent.Coincidence??http://snipurl.com/up6j4 Yes indeed!Did you take a look at the old substation on the Headrow?Notice the 'Danger Y.E.B' suff on the door? The building might not be used by them anymore. But you can bet your bottom dollar the entrance to the tunnel lies behind that wall and locked gate herehttp://snipurl.com/up719Still very much in use i would say!

Post by **chameleon** » Mon 08 Mar, 2010 8:26 am

Brunel wrote: Noticed that telecoms inspection hatches run next to the Queen St. vent.Coincidence??http://snipurl.com/up6j4 I suspect so Brunel - these large chambers are usually independently costructed to house joints and direction changes as well as ducting access. There are numerous belonging to several telecos. Did you notice though, the very large, heavy-duty covers further down towards Wellington Street? Much more interesting looking

Post by **chameleon** » Mon 08 Mar, 2010 11:42 am

I'm wondering if 'tunnel' is something of a misnomer here, conjures up images of somerthing akin to Marsh Lane. It seems likely that this will be little more than a large constructional duct not unlike a small sewer.At that time, transmission voltages were probably much lower that today meaning larger cables carrying power at higher currents. This is inefficient and does result in greater energy losses in the form of heat, which would give rise to the need for vents, with convection circulating the air to keep temperatures down.