In 1880 a pilot tunnel (No. 1) was
begun below Abbot's Cliff, between Dover and Folkestone, driven off
just above the high water mark. This tunnel still exists today but
access is only possible through an adit that has a fairly new entrance
which is kept securely locked. Conditions inside are not good with
timber props and walkways showing the ravages of time and water. After
the boring machine had been proved at this site tunneling was stopped
and the main tunnel construction begun further along the coast.
The adit joins the tunnel after passing below a railway tunnel. At the
left of the junction is a timber lined area which is believed to be
the stable area for pit ponies and to the right is the bore itself.
Here the floor has timber laid on it but it's rotten and tends to give
way if stepped on too heavily. The tunnel wasn't lined in any way as
it was only a test.
After 800 feet of tunnel had been excavated, a second shaft (No 2) was
sunk at Shakespeare Cliff in February 1881. The boring machine used
was designed by Thomas English of Dartford and was capable of cutting
a depth of 5/16" for every revolution of the cutting head at a rate of
two revolutions per minute, although it was hoped this could be
improved later.
To see the full size
pictures, right click than click on go full size.
Access is not possible, this is on
private land.