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It is an impressive feat of Victorian engineering that has stood rock solid in the heart of Bronte country for 143 years.
But now the Queensbury Tunnel is threatened by the same ‘cultural vandals’ at Highways England who have filled historic railway bridges with concrete.
The officials want to block the 1.4mile structure despite pleas from the Victorian Society and campaigners who want to turn it into Britain’s longest underground cycle path.
Norah McWillam (centre) with supporters Julie Johnson (L) and Pat Holland (R) in front of the Queensbury Tunnel, Near Bradford, West Yorkshire, which is being maintained by Highways England
A planning application has been lodged and preparatory works have already started on the tunnel, which took four years to build and cost the lives of ten workers.
Some 7,700 objections have been lodged against the controversial proposal in West Yorkshire. Bradford Council, which is considering the planning application, has not set a date for its decision.
Norah McWilliam, of the Queensbury Tunnel Society, said: ‘It’s nonsensical and outrageous. They seem determined to write off structures like Queensbury Tunnel, which is an incredible piece of Victorian
