One of Bath’s Two Tunnels has been hit by flooding, putting it out of use.
Flooding at the Devonshire Tunnel | Photo courtesy of @twotunnelsbath on X
The shared-use Two Tunnels Greenway connects Bath and the Midford Valley.
Due to persistent rainfall, the depth of water in the shorter of the tunnels – the Devonshire – had been slowly increasing since before Christmas.
It was announced on 4th January that it would be closing until it was deemed safe to reopen it.
The Greenway is managed by Sustrans which looks after the National Cycle Network. It follows the route of the former Somerset & Dorset Railway which shut in 1966.
Writing on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday 7th January, twotunnelsbath announced: “Access is available via the footpaths in Lyncombe Vale, though these are not as accessible as the route itself. Physical work to address the flooding will be under way shortly.”
Photo from the afternoon of the second of january of the flood blocking the route at Devonshire Tunnel. We'd like to know the date at which this started. Between Christmas and New Year, the depth has slowly increased from ankle deep to 'Well above adult welly deep'. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/NgA7JR5hZU
— twotunnelsbath (@twotunnelsbath) January 3, 2024
The tunnel carries an earthenware pipe that usually gathers spring water and takes it out and away beneath the cutting’s fill.
A spokesperson for Sustrans said: “Relentless rain coupled with saturated grounds has caused flooding in the vicinity of the Devonshire Tunnel on the ‘Two Tunnels’ route.
“We have worked with partners to mitigate this over the past few days; however, the decision has been made to close the tunnel until pumping has taken place this week.
“We will update when the tunnel has reopened and are sorry for the inconvenience this closure has on our users.”
