The
Sapperton Tunnels (continued)
Sapperton
Tunnel is 3817 yards long with a normal water table expected at 363 feet
and was wide enough for vessels of 12feet beam, the passage of vessels was
regulated in a one way direction at certain fixed hours, only two thirds
of the tunnel was brick lined with the remainder self supporting. This caused
many problems in later years due to over optimism for safety,each horizontal
section was tunnelled from 24 vertical shafts sunk from the surface along
the line of the tunnel, these shafts are still marked by rings of beach trees
across the surrounding farmland, the closest three being at Sapperton crossroads.
The entrance to this tunnel is still visible today and is
only a short walk downhill from the pub however it is only the same distance
back but
up a very steep hill, we suggest you may wish to take some sustenance
before and after your exertions!!!
