List of tunnels in the United Kingdom

This is a list of road, railway, waterway, and other tunnels in the United Kingdom.

Downhill Railway Tunnels near Castlerock on the NIR network.

A tunnel is an underground passageway with no defined minimum length, though it may be considered to be at least twice as long as wide. Some government bodies define a tunnel as 150 metres (0.093 mi) in length or longer.[1]

A tunnel may be for pedestrians or cyclists, for general road traffic, for motor vehicles only, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some are aqueducts, constructed purely for carrying water—for consumption, for hydroelectric purposes or as sewers—while others carry other services such as telecommunications cables. There are even tunnels designed as wildlife crossings for European badgers and other endangered species.

The longest tunnel in the United Kingdom is the Northern line at 27,800 metres (91,200 ft). This will be superseded in the 2020s by the 37,600-metre (123,400 ft) Woodsmith Mine Tunnel in North Yorkshire that will transport polyhalite from North Yorkshire to a port on Teesside.[2] Standedge Tunnel at 5,029 metres (3.125 mi) is the longest canal tunnel in the United Kingdom. When completed in the late 2020s, the Chiltern tunnel will be the 2nd longest mainline railway tunnel in the UK at 16,040 metres (52,620 ft).[3]

England

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LocationTunnelTypeLengthConstruction method / NotesDate of openingCoordinates
(m)(yd)
BedfordshireAmpthill TunnelRailway6547154 tracks in 2 bores185952°02′01″N 0°30′48″W / 52.03361°N 0.51333°W / 52.03361; -0.51333 (Ampthill Tunnel)
BedfordshireLinslade TunnelRailway2492724 tracks in 3 bores1837, 1859, 187651°55′32″N 0°40′34″W / 51.92544°N 0.67611°W / 51.92544; -0.67611 (Linslade Tunnel)
BedfordshireOld Warden TunnelRailway807883Brick construction, Carried the Bedford to Hitchin line185352°05′18″N 0°22′33″W / 52.08835°N 0.37581°W / 52.08835; -0.37581 (Old Warden Tunnel)
BedfordshireWymington TunnelRailway1,6901,850Also known as Sharnbrook Tunnel, allows freight trains to avoid the gradients over Sharnbrook summit (elevation 315 feet)185952°15′06″N 0°34′58″W / 52.25166°N 0.58266°W / 52.25166; -0.58266 (Wymington Tunnel)
BristolClifton Down TunnelRailway1,6011,751Part of the Clifton Extension Railway built jointly by the MR and GWR187451°28′02″N 2°37′31″W / 51.46720°N 2.62531°W / 51.46720; -2.62531 (Clifton Down Tunnel)
BuckinghamshireBrill TunnelRailway175191Great Western Railway, now Chiltern Main Line1910
BuckinghamshireWhitehouse TunnelRailway322352Chiltern Main Line1905
CambridgeshireWansford TunnelRailway563616Now on preserved Nene Valley Railway184752°33′55″N 0°23′58″W / 52.56518°N 0.39956°W / 52.56518; -0.39956 (Wansford Tunnel)
CheshireDisley TunnelRailway3,5353,865Bored tunnel[4]190153°22′18″N 2°05′09″W / 53.37172°N 2.08576°W / 53.37172; -2.08576 (Disley Tunnel)
CheshirePreston Brook TunnelCanal1,1331,2391775
CheshirePrestbury TunnelRailway250273[5] Brick[6]184553°17′44″N 2°08′40″W / 53.29551°N 2.14447°W / 53.29551; -2.14447 (Prestbury Tunnel)
CheshireSutton TunnelRailway1,7241,885[7] See also Sutton Tunnel railway accident184853°19′13″N 2°40′40″W / 53.32020°N 2.67790°W / 53.32020; -2.67790 (Sutton Tunnel)
CornwallSaltash TunnelRoad410448Carries the A38198850°24′42″N 4°12′54″W / 50.41161°N 4.21496°W / 50.41161; -4.21496 (Saltash Tunnel)
CornwallBrownqueen TunnelRailway8088185950°26′05″N 4°40′51″W / 50.43466°N 4.68092°W / 50.43466; -4.68092 (Brownqueen Tunnel)
CornwallToldish TunnelRailway460500Used by horse-drawn trams, closed 1874184950°24′11″N 4°55′31″W / 50.40311°N 4.92533°W / 50.40311; -4.92533 (Toldish Tunnel)
CornwallTrelill TunnelRailway304333Disused (closed 1966)189550°34′08″N 4°45′46″W / 50.56886°N 4.76268°W / 50.56886; -4.76268 (Trelill Tunnel)
CornwallShillingham TunnelRailway412451aka Wivelscombe190850°23′43″N 4°15′51″W / 50.39539°N 4.26427°W / 50.39539; -4.26427 (Shillingham Tunnel)
CornwallTreverrin TunnelRailway516564185950°22′58″N 4°40′34″W / 50.38281°N 4.67616°W / 50.38281; -4.67616 (Treverrin Tunnel)
CornwallPolperrow TunnelRailway348381[8]185950°17′10″N 5°00′41″W / 50.28615°N 5.01136°W / 50.28615; -5.01136 (Polperrow Tunnel)
CornwallBuckshead TunnelRailway290320[9]185950°16′46″N 5°02′27″W / 50.27936°N 5.04071°W / 50.27936; -5.04071 (Buckshead Tunnel)
CornwallSparnick TunnelRailway449491186350°14′25″N 5°05′41″W / 50.24026°N 5.09462°W / 50.24026; -5.09462 (Sparnick Tunnel)
CornwallPinnock TunnelRailway1,0731,173[10]Now converted to private road187450°21′05″N 4°39′44″W / 50.35125°N 4.66219°W / 50.35125; -4.66219 (Pinnock Tunnel)
CumbriaRise Hill TunnelRailway1,1091,109Double track187554°17′49″N 2°21′36″W / 54.297°N 2.360°W / 54.297; -2.360 (Rise Hill Tunnel)
CumbriaWhitehaven TunnelRailway1,2191,333Single track, bore widened 1958185254°27′07″N 3°34′55″W / 54.45200°N 3.58200°W / 54.45200; -3.58200 (Whitehaven Tunnel)
DerbyshireAlfreton TunnelRailway770840186253°05′31″N 1°21′41″W / 53.09200°N 1.36136°W / 53.09200; -1.36136 (Alfreton Tunnel)
DerbyshireAshbourne TunnelRailway350383Now a cycleway189953°00′57″N 1°44′05″W / 53.01571°N 1.73483°W / 53.01571; -1.73483 (Ashbourne Tunnel)
DerbyshireBolsover TunnelRailway2,3992,624Infilled with coal waste 1966-7189753°13′00″N 1°16′36″W / 53.21662°N 1.27669°W / 53.21662; -1.27669 (Bolsover Tunnel)
DerbyshireBradway TunnelRailway1,8532,026187053°19′02″N 1°29′53″W / 53.31721°N 1.49813°W / 53.31721; -1.49813 (Bradway Tunnel)
DerbyshireBreadsall Tunnel (also Morley)Railway218238187852°57′21″N 1°24′32″W / 52.95597°N 1.40889°W / 52.95597; -1.40889 (Breadsall Tunnel)
DerbyshireBurbage TunnelRailway530580[11]183053°15′42″N 1°57′11″W / 53.26168°N 1.95300°W / 53.26168; -1.95300 (Burbage Tunnel)
DerbyshireButterley TunnelCanal2,7122,966Disused canal179453°03′34″N 1°23′42″W / 53.05936°N 1.39487°W / 53.05936; -1.39487 (Butterley Tunnel)
DerbyshireChee Tor Tunnel (1)Railway390430[11]186353°15′21″N 1°48′38″W / 53.25584°N 1.81063°W / 53.25584; -1.81063 (Chee Tor Tunnel (1))
DerbyshireChee Tor Tunnel (2)Railway8694[11]186353°15′17″N 1°48′52″W / 53.25468°N 1.81452°W / 53.25468; -1.81452 (Chee Tor Tunnel (2))
DerbyshireClay Cross TunnelRailway1,6311,784Brick[12]183953°10′04″N 1°24′49″W / 53.16790°N 1.41363°W / 53.16790; -1.41363 (Clay Cross)
DerbyshireCowburn TunnelRailway3,3853,702189253°21′07″N 1°52′00″W / 53.35200°N 1.86680°W / 53.35200; -1.86680 (Cowburn Cross)
DerbyshireCressbrook TunnelRailway431471[11]186353°14′58″N 1°44′49″W / 53.24949°N 1.74688°W / 53.24949; -1.74688 (Cressbrook Tunnel)
DerbyshireDove Holes TunnelRailway2,7292,984Closed to passenger traffic in 1967186553°18′11″N 1°53′19″W / 53.30293°N 1.88853°W / 53.30293; -1.88853 (Doves HolesCross)
DerbyshireDuckmanton TunnelRailway458501Closed to passenger traffic in 1951, closed completely 1957, infilled 1970s189753°13′44.2″N 1°22′1.3″W / 53.228944°N 1.367028°W / 53.228944; -1.367028
DerbyshireEaves TunnelRailway3944311863
DerbyshireGreat Rocks TunnelRailway1471611863
DerbyshireHaddon TunnelRailway9671,058Constructed with cut and cover methods, closed in 1967186353°11′47″N 1°39′07″W / 53.19644°N 1.65207°W / 53.19644; -1.65207 (Doves HolesCross)
DerbyshireHeadstone TunnelRailway4875331863
DerbyshireHigh Tor Tunnel 1Railway294321[13]1849
DerbyshireHigh Tor Tunnel 2Railway3463781849
DerbyshireHolt Lane TunnelRailway1151261849
DerbyshireHopton TunnelRailway1031131830
DerbyshireHindlow TunnelRailway470514Now a cycleway1832
DerbyshireHollingwood Common TunnelCanal2,8203,080Disused coalmine canal joining with Chesterfield Canal[14]1777
DerbyshireLea Wood TunnelRailway2883151849
DerbyshireLitton TunnelRailway472516186353°15′07″N 1°45′19″W / 53.25204°N 1.75534°W / 53.25204; -1.75534 (Litton Tunnel)
DerbyshireMickleover TunnelRailway4244641878
DerbyshireMilford TunnelRailway782855183953°00′06″N 1°29′12″W / 53.00177°N 1.48672°W / 53.00177; -1.48672 (Millford Tunnel)
DerbyshireMorley TunnelRailway2182381878
DerbyshireNew Mills TunnelRailway1121231867
DerbyshireNorwood TunnelCanal2,6372,884Collapsed 19071775W. 53°19′57″N 1°17′21″W / 53.33253°N 1.28921°W / 53.33253; -1.28921 ("Norwood Tunnel, west portal")
C. 53°20′06″N 1°16′11″W / 53.33501°N 1.26971°W / 53.33501; -1.26971 ("Norwood Tunnel, approx centre point")
, E. 53°20′15″N 1°15′01″W / 53.33744°N 1.25022°W / 53.33744; -1.25022 ("Norwood Tunnel, east portal")
DerbyshireNorwood End Tunnel No. 10Railway270[15]300Parallel to Norwood Tunnel1878
DerbyshirePic Tor TunnelRailway1751911863
DerbyshireRedhill Tunnel 1Railway1411541839
DerbyshireRedhill Tunnel 2Railway1601701839
DerbyshireRowthorn TunnelRailway849929Closed 19301890
DerbyshireRusher Cutting TunnelRailway111121[16]1863
DerbyshireShirland TunnelRailway173189
DerbyshireSpinkhill TunnelRailway458501Closed 9 January 1967 and subsequently lifted1897
DerbyshireToadmoor TunnelRailway1181291839
Derbyshire & Yorkshire – SouthTotley TunnelRailway5,7006,2301892
DerbyshireWhatstandwell TunnelRailway1361491849
DerbyshireWhitwell TunnelRailway497544
DerbyshireWillersley TunnelRailway6997641849
DerbyshireWingfield TunnelRailway2392611839
DevonAller TunnelRailway270295Built using 110 concrete bridge beams, A380 passes overhead2014
DevonDainton TunnelRailway2662911847
DevonDevonport Leat TunnelLeat5005471790s
DevonMarley TunnelRailway795869
DevonParson's TunnelRailway554606Known for the Legend of the Parson and Clerk
DorsetBeaminster TunnelRoad105115Carries the A3066, brick lined construction, one of the oldest road tunnels still in use1832
DorsetBuckhorn Weston TunnelRailway678742
DorsetBincombe Tunnel (North)Railway749819
DorsetEvershot TunnelRailway282308
DorsetFrampton TunnelRailway595651
DorsetMiddlebere Plateway TunnelsRailwayBuilt in two stages1807, 1825[17]
DorsetPoundbury TunnelRailway2442671857
East SussexCuilfail TunnelRoad430470Carries the A26, built to ease traffic congestion in Lewes1980
East SussexBopeep TunnelRailway1,2051,3181846
East SussexCrowborough TunnelRailway9351,0221868
East SussexCulver TunnelRailway227289Closed 19581882
East SussexFalmer TunnelRailway4504901846
East SussexHastings TunnelRailway7007701846
East SussexHeathfield TunnelRailway242265Closed 1965, now cycleway & footpath1880
East SussexLewes TunnelRailway3623961847
East SussexMountfield TunnelRailway481526Reduced from double track to single track in the 1970s1851
East SussexMount Pleasant TunnelRailway1311431851
East SussexPatcham TunnelRailway4464881841
East SussexWadhurst TunnelRailway1,1021,205Reduced from double track to single track in 19851851
EssexAudley End TunnelRailway417456Double track[18][19]1845
Essex & KentDartford West TunnelRoad1,4361,570Carries northbound traffic on the A282 as part of the Dartford Crossing, original tunnel1963
Essex & KentDartford East TunnelRoad1,4361,570Carries northbound traffic on the A282 as part of the Dartford Crossing, carried southbound traffic until 19911980
Essex & KentThames TunnelRailway3,1153,406Part of the High Speed 1 railway[20]2007
EssexDartford Cable TunnelElectricity cables2,4002,624Upriver from Dartford Road Tunnels, carrying 400kV cables2004
EssexBell Common TunnelRoad470514Cut-and-cover tunnel on the M251984
EssexLittlebury TunnelRailway372407Two tracks, south portal is Grade 2 listed[18]1845
EssexStansted Airport TunnelRailway1,7781,944Single track[18]1991
Essex & KentThames Cable TunnelElectricity cables1,6751,832Carries two 400kV electricity circuits[21][22]1970
GloucestershireChipping Sodbury TunnelRailway4,0644,4441902
GloucestershirePatchway Old TunnelRailway1,140[23]1,246In use for westbound trains
GloucestershirePatchway New TunnelRailway1,6091,760In use for eastbound trains1886
GloucestershireSapperton Canal TunnelCanal1,8732,0481789
GloucestershireLarger Sapperton TunnelRailway1,7041,864On the Golden Valley Line1845
GloucestershireSmaller Sapperton TunnelRailway323353On the Golden Valley Line1845
GloucestershireSevern Tunnel (1810)Tramroad126138Abandoned, uncompleted in 1812 after flooding51°47′16″N 2°26′46″W / 51.78770°N 2.44598°W / 51.78770; -2.44598 (Severn tunnel (1810))
Gloucestershire & MonmouthshireSevern TunnelRailway7,0127,668Longest mainline tunnel in the UK until 2007 when tunnels on High Speed 1 opened1886
GloucestershireSevern-Wye Cable TunnelElectricity cables3,600Carries two 400kV electricity circuits197351.608459°N 2.615454°W
GloucestershireMicheldean TunnelRailway715782Portals bricked up
Greater ManchesterClifton Hall TunnelRailway1,1871,2981850
Greater ManchesterDisley TunnelRailway3,5353,8661902
Greater ManchesterFarnworth TunnelRailway270295Built by the Manchester and Bolton Railway[24]1832
Greater ManchesterGuardian ExchangeTelephone1,3001,422Concrete and brick[25]1954
Greater Manchester & Yorkshire – WestStandedge TunnelsCanal5,0295,500Disused 1945, reopened 2001, longest and highest canal tunnel in UK on Huddersfield Narrow Canal1811
Greater Manchester & Yorkshire – WestStandedge Tunnels (Central Tunnel)Railway4,8805,337First of the three rail tunnels to be opened, used for emergency access1848
Greater Manchester & Yorkshire – WestStandedge Tunnels (South Tunnel)Railway4,8805,337Second tunnel, single track1871
Greater Manchester & Yorkshire – WestStandedge Tunnels (live tunnel)Railway4,8835,340Third tunnel, double track, in use1894
Greater ManchesterSummit TunnelRailway2,6382,8851841
HampshireFareham Tunnel No. 1Railway134147Also known as Funtley No.1, M27 passes overhead
HampshireFareham Tunnel No. 2Railway506553Also known as Funtley No.2
HampshireGreywell TunnelCanal1,1251,230Brick construction, disused - now a Site of Special Scientific Interest1794
HampshireMicheldever TunnelRailway181198[26] Also known as Litchfield Tunnel1840[27]
HampshireMidhurst TunnelRailway252276
HampshirePopham No. 1 TunnelRailway242265
HampshirePopham No. 2 TunnelRailway182199
HampshirePrivett TunnelRailway9671,058Closed 19551903
HampshireSouthampton TunnelRailway483528[26]Allows the South West Main Line to pass under the Civic Centre in Southampton1847
HampshireWallers' Ash TunnelRailway458501
HampshireWinchester TunnelRailway422461Also known as St Giles or Chesil Tunnel
HampshireFawley TunnelElectricity cables3,2003,500Two 400 kV electricity circuits196550.826°N 1.314°W
Hertfordshire & LondonElstree to St. John's Wood Cable TunnelElectricity cables19,80021,6533-metre diameter, forced air cooling, 7 ventilation shafts, carries one 400kV circuit, provision for second circuit, battery powered overhead monorail system for access[28]2005
HertfordshireHatfield TunnelRoad1,1471,531Cut-and-cover tunnel on the A1(M) between J3 and J41986
HertfordshireHolmesdale TunnelRoad600656Cut-and-cover tunnel on the M25 between J25 and J261984
HertfordshireNorthchurch TunnelsRailway319349Bores consist of Down and Up fast (double track), Down slow (single track), Up slow (single track)1838
HertfordshirePonsbourne TunnelRailway2,4542,684Part of the Hertford Loop Line, it was the last tunnel constructed using traditional means1918
HertfordshirePotters Bar TunnelRailway1,1101,214Bores consist of Down slow & fast, Up slow & fast184951°41′07″N 0°11′06″W / 51.6854°N 0.1849°W / 51.6854; -0.1849 (Potters Bar Tunnel)
HertfordshireWelwyn North TunnelRailway9561,046Welwyn North Tunnel was the scene of a major accident in 18661850
HertfordshireWelwyn South TunnelRailway4084461850
HertfordshireWeston Hills TunnelRoad230250Cut-and-cover tunnel on the A505[29]2006
HertfordshireWatford TunnelsRailway16601,815Part of the West Coast Main Line, first built for the London and Birmingham Railway183751°40′53″N 0°25′09″W / 51.681507°N 0.419055°W / 51.681507; -0.419055
Isle of WightRyde TunnelRailway358391
Isle of WightVentnor TunnelRailway1,2011,313Closed 19661866
Kent & Pas-de-Calais (France)Channel TunnelRailway50,45955,183Consists of two single track railway tunnels and one service tunnel, 26,988 m of the tunnel is on the British side of the UK/France border1994
KentAshford Cut and Cover TunnelRailway1,5621,708Part of High Speed 1 railway[30]2003
KentMedway TunnelRoad240260Carries A2891996
KentRamsgate TunnelRoad800875Carries A299, also known as Pegwell Tunnel2000
KentRoundhill TunnelRoad380416Carries A201993
KentAbbotscliffe TunnelRailway1,8001,969Double track[31]1844
KentBadgers Oak TunnelRailway163178Closed 19611893
KentBourne Park TunnelRailway370400Used to hide a giant railway borne artillery piece in World War Two,[32] closed 16 June 19471887
KentCharlton TunnelRailway138154
KentChatham TunnelRailway272297Double track
KentChelsfield TunnelRailway545597Double track[33]186851°20′55″N 0°07′04″E / 51.3487°N 0.1178°E / 51.3487; 0.1178 (Chelsfield Tunnel)
KentDover Harbour TunnelRailway6256841861
KentEdenbridge TunnelRailway1801971888
KentEynsford TunnelRailway7578281862
KentFort Pitt TunnelRailway391428Double track
KentGolgotha TunnelRailway436477Single track but partly constructed for double track1911
KentGreenhithe TunnelRailway2282531849
KentGrove TunnelRailway167183Closed on 6 July 1985 with the rest of the Tunbridge Wells West branch, single track[34]1876
KentGrove Hill TunnelRailway262287On the Hastings line1851
KentGuston TunnelRailway1,2871,4081881
KentHigham and Strood TunnelRailway3,5953,931Built between 1819 and 1824 for the Thames and Medway Canal, single track railway laid on the tow-path in 1845, was soon doubled by infilling the canal, 100-yard air vent cut in the middle1824
KentLittle Browns TunnelRailway1111211888
KentLydden TunnelRailway2,1662,3691861
KentMark Beech TunnelRailway1,2261,3411888
KentMartello TunnelRailway500547Double track[31]1844
KentNorth Downs TunnelRailway3,2003,500Under Blue Bell Hill, tunnel is to UIC GB gauge on High Speed 1, double track but due to air pressure of opposing trains at high speeds trains are scheduled not to pass at the line speed of 300 km/h.[35]2001
KentPolhill TunnelRailway2,3872,610Double track186851°19′30″N 0°09′45″E / 51.3250°N 0.1626°E / 51.3250; 0.1626 (Polhill Tunnel)
KentPriory TunnelRailway1421551861
KentRamsgate Harbour TunnelRailway1,0281,124Closed 19261863
KentRiver Medway Cable TunnelsElectricity cables1,7001,860Twin 2.54 m diameter tunnels, Isle of Grain to Chetney Marshes, each carries a 400kV circuit[36]1976
KentSaltwood TunnelRailway8729541843
KentSevenoaks TunnelRailway3,1563,520Double track1868
KentShakespeare TunnelRailway1,2601,387Two individual single bore tunnels[31][37]1844
KentShepherd's Well TunnelRailway2,1382,376
KentSomerhill TunnelRailway370410Originally double track but reduced to single track in 19851845
KentStrawberry Hill TunnelRailway262286Originally double track but reduced to single track in 19851851
KentTyler Hill TunnelRailway757828Underneath the main site of the University of Kent,[38] the line was closed in 1953, part of the tunnel collapsed in July 19741830
KentWells TunnelRailway753823Twin track1846
KentWheeler Street TunnelRailway327358Twin track1884
LancashireBlackburn TunnelRailway398435[39]
LancashireFoulridge TunnelCanal1,4871,626[40]
LancashireGannow TunnelCanal509557[40]
LancashireGisburn TunnelRailway144157[41]1880
LancashireHaslingden (North Hag) TunnelRailway134146[42] Closed 19661848
LancashireHolme TunnelRailway242265
LancashireMelling TunnelRailway1,1201,230[43]
LancashireSough TunnelRailway1,8432,015[39]
LancashireUpholland TunnelRailway877959
LancashireWilpshire TunnelRailway297325[39]
LancashireThrutch TunnelRailway5415921 track top section brick lined lower section stone, closed 1966188053°41′29″N 2°14′55″W / 53.691300°N 2.248735°W / 53.691300; -2.248735 (Thrutch Tunnel)
LancashireNewchurch No.1 TunnelRailway1481621 track top section brick lined lower section stone, closed 1966185253°41′29″N 2°14′55″W / 53.691400°N 2.248659°W / 53.691400; -2.248659 (Newchurch No.1 Tunnel)
LancashireNewchurch No.2 TunnelRailway2702901 track top section brick lined lower section stone, closed 1966185253°41′26″N 2°14′42″W / 53.690653°N 2.244961°W / 53.690653; -2.244961 (Newchurch No.2 Tunnel)
LeicestershireAshby de la Zouch TunnelRailway282308Also known as Old Parks or Ashby Tunnel
LeicestershireClawson TunnelRailway763834Also known as Hose Tunnel
LeicestershireHusbands Bosworth TunnelCanal1,0661,1661813
LeicestershireSaddington TunnelCanal8058801797
LeicestershireGlenfield TunnelRailway1,6331786Closed 19661832
LincolnshireKirton-in-Lindsey TunnelRailway1,2001,312
LincolnshireStamford TunnelRailway312341
LincolnshireStoke TunnelRailway800880
LondonNorthern line (Morden to East Finchley via Bank)Railway27,80030,402Deep level 'tube' lines constructed between 1886 and 19391890-1939
LondonPiccadilly line (Bounds Green to Barons Court)Railway19,61021,446Deep level 'tube' lines constructed between 1902 and 19321906–32
LondonPiccadilly line (Hounslow Central to Heathrow Terminal 5)Railway8,7609,580Deep Level tunnel beyond Hatton Cross1975-2008
LondonVictoria line (Brixton to Walthamstow Central)Railway22,04024,103Deep level 'tube' lines constructed between 1962 and 19721968–72
LondonLee TunnelSewer6,9007,545Overflow sewer tunnel part of the Thames Tideway Scheme, 7.2m diameter2016
LondonGeorge Green TunnelRoad295322A12, construction disrupted by M11 link road protest2000
LondonGreen Man TunnelRoad170185A12, construction disrupted by M11 link road protest2000
LondonCentral line (Stratford to White City)Railway17,39019,018Deep level 'tube' lines constructed between 1896 and 19401900–46
LondonNorthern line (Kennington to Golders Green via Charing Cross)Railway11,94013,058Deep level 'tube' lines constructed between 1902 and 19261907–26
LondonBakerloo line (Elephant & Castle to Queen's Park)Railway10,90011,920Deep level 'tube' lines constructed between 1898 and 19151906–15
LondonWaterloo & City line (Waterloo to Bank)Railway2,2262,434Deep level 'tube' lines constructed between 1894 and 18981898
LondonBarnet TunnelRailway5536073 bores: Down slow / Centre / Up Slow184951°37′46″N 0°09′30″W / 51.6295°N 0.1582°W / 51.6295; -0.1582 (Barnet Tunnel)
LondonBelsize Fast Lines TunnelRailway1,6191,771Midland Railway, now Midland Main Line[18]1868[19]
LondonBelsize Slow Lines TunnelRailway1,7071,867Midland Railway, now Midland Main Line/Thameslink[18]1884[19]
LondonBishopsgate TunnelRailway573627Great Eastern Railway, Down/Up Suburban Lines from/to Liverpool Street station
LondonBlackwall Tunnel (Western bore)Road1,350[44]1,476Built using tunnelling shields, one of the oldest road tunnels still in use, carries northbound traffic on the A1021897
LondonBlackwall Tunnel (Eastern bore)Road1,174[44]1,284Newer bore, carries southbound traffic on the A1021967
LondonCamden Road TunnelsRailway288315Midland Railway. Down/Up Fast, Down/Up Slow, Down/Up Moorgate the latter is two tunnels of 205 and 66 yards1867
LondonCanal TunnelsRailway6886282 bores: both bidirectional. Up Line 688y/628m, Down Line 723y/681m201651°32′24″N 0°07′25″W / 51.5400°N 0.1236°W / 51.5400; -0.1236 (Canal Tunnels)
LondonCanonbury TunnelRailway498545Great Northern Railway, Now single track freight line1874
LondonClapton TunnelRailway260284Great Eastern Railway1872
LondonCopenhagen TunnelsRailway543594Great Northern Railway. West tunnel Up & Down Slow, Central tunnel Up & Down Fast, East Tunnel disused since 19771877, 1850, 1886
LondonCrossrail Royal Oak Portal to Victoria Dock portalRailway15,39016,830Twin tunnels 6.2m in diameter[45]2022
LondonCrossrail Pudding Mill Lane Portal to Stepney GreenRailway2,7202,974Twin tunnels 6.2m in diameter[45]2022
LondonCrossrail Plumstead to North Woolwich PortalRailway2,6402,887Twin tunnels 6.2m in diameter[45]2022
LondonEast India Dock LinkRoad3503831993
LondonFore Street TunnelRoad310339A406, North Circular Road under Edmonton town centre, refurbished 2014[46]1998
LondonGas Works TunnelsRailway483528Great Northern Railway. West tunnel Slow Lines, Middle tunnel Fast Lines, East tunnel disused since 1977[18][19]1892, 1852, 1878
LondonGreenwich foot tunnelPedestrian371406Runs beneath River Thames; being refurbished until 20141902
LondonHadley Wood North TunnelsRailway212232
LondonHadley Wood South TunnelsRailway351384
LondonIslington TunnelCanal878976On Regent's Canal1818
LondonMaida Hill TunnelCanal251272On Regent's Canal1816
LondonEyre's tunnelCanal4852On Regent's Canal1816
LondonBankside power station cooling water discharge tunnelRiver water3664003 metres diameter, 10 metres below river Thames, terminating on the north bank of the river bed adjacent to St Paul's railway bridge, disused since 1981, now sealed1952
LondonBattersea power station tunnelsElectricity cables, steam & hot water pipes3 tunnels, 2 carrying cables under the Thames to either side of Chelsea bridge, third carrying steam and hot water pipes for a district heating system for the Churchill Gardens estate
LondonHackney Downs or Queen's Road TunnelRailway407445Great Eastern Railway1872
LondonHanger LaneRoad240262A40, passing under the Hanger Lane gyratory1960
LondonEltham TunnelRoad156170A2 road, underneath Eltham railway station1970
LondonHampstead Heath TunnelRailway1,0661,166Hampstead Junction Railway. Now North London Line1860
LondonKingsway ExchangeTelephoneOriginally part of the Holborn deep shelter, it was used for telephone exchanges until closure in the 1990s due to asbestos1954
LondonKingsway tramway subwayTramwayConstructed using cut-and-cover method. Abandoned in 1952 with the rest of the tram network, now partially used as the Strand Underpass1906
LondonLimehouse Link tunnelRoad1,8001,969Constructed with cut-and-cover methods, carries the A12031993
LondonLondon Deep Level SheltersAir raid shelter370405Eight built in total1942
LondonHampstead TunnelRailway632694Great Central Railway, now Chiltern Main Line1899
LondonHeathrow TunnelRoad630688Tunnel linking Airport loop road and M4/A4 to Heathrow Airport Central Terminal Area1955
LondonHeathrow Airside Road TunnelRoad1,4201,553Links the Heathrow Airport Central Terminal Area with Terminal 5. Only open to vehicles with security clearance2005W. 51°28′06″N 0°29′26″W / 51.46834°N 0.49059°W / 51.46834; -0.49059 ("Heathrow Airside Road Tunnel, west portal")
E. 51°28′10″N 0°27′18″W / 51.46954°N 0.45507°W / 51.46954; -0.45507 ("Heathrow Airside Road Tunnel, east portal")
LondonHeathrow Express Tunnel
(Stockley Farm to Terminal 4)
Railway6,8007,463Dual bore from Stockley Farm to Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, single bore to Heathrow Terminal 41998
LondonHeathrow Express Tunnel
(Terminal 1, 2 & 3 to Terminal 5)
Railway2,6002,843Extension of Heathrow Express tunnels to Heathrow Terminal 5 station, dual bore tunnels2005
LondonHeathrow Cargo TunnelRoad885968Links the Heathrow Airport Central Terminal Area with Heathrow Terminal 4. Only open to vehicles with security clearance196851°27′51″N 0°27′20″W / 51.46426°N 0.45555°W / 51.46426; -0.45555 (Heathrow Cargo Tunnel)
LondonKensal Green TunnelsRailway293320London and Birmingham Railway: Down/Up Fast, Down/Up Slow.London North Western Railway: Down/Up DC Electric constructed 19151837
LondonLondon Post Office RailwayRailway10,50011,483Narrow gauge railway built to transport mail between sorting offices. Now decommissioned but still kept in working order.[47]1927
LondonLondon Tunnel 1Railway7,5388,243Part of the High Speed 1 railway from Stratford to St Pancras[48]2007
LondonPrimrose Hill Fast TunnelRailway1,0801,182London North Western Railway[18]1879[19]
LondonLondon Tunnel 2Railway10,12011,067Part of the High Speed 1 railway from Dagenham to Stratford[49]2007
LondonTemple Mills TunnelRailway300328Links High Speed 1 railway to Temple Mills Depot[50]2007
KentPepper Hill TunnelRailway515563Part of the High Speed 1 railway, south of Ebbsfleet International[51]2007
LondonPrimrose Hill Slow TunnelRailway1,0701,170London and Birmingham Railway[18]1837[19]
LondonRotherhithe TunnelRoad1,4811,6191908[52]
LondonSnow Hill tunnelRailway1866
LondonSt John's Wood TunnelRailway1,4691,606Great Central Railway, now Chiltern Main Line1899
LondonSouth Hampstead TunnelRailway1,3281,452London North Western Railway. Up tunnel is 1,264 yards (1,156 m)1922
LondonEastwayRoad290317Built as the East Cross Route, now the A121974
LondonSouth Harrow TunnelRailway187204Great Central Railway, now Chiltern Main Line1905
LondonStrand UnderpassRoad365399Formed from the disused Kingsway Tramway Subway1964
LondonSydenham Hill (also Penge)Railway1,9582,141The tunnel was disliked by Queen Victoria, brick lining was made from clay extracted from the tunnel itself1863
LondonThames TunnelRailway396433Built by Marc Brunel and originally opened as a pedestrian link between Rotherhithe and Wapping, taken over by the East London Railway and now part of the London Overground1843
LondonThames–Lea water main tunnelWater30,57733,440Water from the Thames at Sunbury to Chingford reservoirs1959
LondonTottenham North Curve Tunnel No.1Railway146160Midland Railway[18]1883[19]
LondonNew Cross to Finsbury Market Cable TunnelElectricity cables5,70062332.85-metre diameter tunnel, carries 132 kV electric cables for UK Power Networks2017
LondonLower Lea Valley Cable TunnelsElectricity cables6,0006561Built as part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park infrastructure, carries electricity cables (400kV for National Grid, 132kV for UK Power Networks)2007
LondonLondon Power Tunnels Phase 1Electricity cables32,00034995Wimbledon to Willesden and Hackney, carries electricity cables (400kV for National Grid, 132kV for UK Power Networks)2018
LondonTower SubwayPedestrian411450Built using Tunnelling shields. Closed in 1898 due to the opening of the Tower Bridge. Now used for water mains only1870
LondonWood Green TunnelRailway6457053 bores: Down slow / Centre / Up Slow184851°36′18″N 0°08′02″W / 51.6050°N 0.1340°W / 51.6050; -0.1340 (Wood Green Tunnel)
LondonWoolwich foot tunnelPedestrian498545Under River Thames1912
MerseysideKingsway TunnelRoad2,4832,715Also called Wallasey Tunnel1971
MerseysideMersey RailwayRailway3,8204,180Length of tunnel under the river1886–1892
MerseysideTranmere tunnelsShelterLength of tunnel
MerseysideQueensway TunnelRoad3,2373,540Longest road tunnel in UK1934
MerseysideVictoria Tunnel & Waterloo TunnelRailway3,2543,559The Victoria and Waterloo tunnels - 2,475 metres (2,707 yd) and 862 metres (943 yd) - form a single tunnel divided by an air shaft, and having different names on each side of the shaft1849
MerseysideWapping TunnelRailway2,0302,220Originally static steam engine haulage because of the steep gradient, then locomotive hauled. Closed on 15 May 19721829
MerseysideWilliamson TunnelsFolly3,0003,2811800–40
NorfolkAylsham Bypass TunnelRailway166182On narrow gauge Bure Valley Railway1990
NorfolkCromer TunnelRailway56611888
NorthamptonshireBlisworth TunnelCanal2,7943,056Grand Union Canal1805
NorthamptonshireBraunston TunnelCanal1,8872,064Grand Union Canal1796
NorthamptonshireCatesby TunnelRailway2,7402,997Great Central Railway1899
NorthamptonshireCorby TunnelRailway1,7601,9201878
NorthamptonshireCrick TunnelCanal1,3971,5281814
NorthamptonshireHunsbury Hill TunnelRailway1,0531,1521881
NorthamptonshireKelmarsh TunnelRailway480525Was single bore, but doubled. Now pedestrian1859
NorthamptonshireKilsby TunnelRailway2,2182,4261838
NorthamptonshireOxendon TunnelRailway418457Was single bore, but doubled. Now pedestrian1859
NorthamptonshireStowe Hill tunnelRailway449491Single bore, twin tracks. West Coast Main Line1838
NorthumberlandHillhead TunnelRailway321351Single Bore, brick lined188755°23′32″N 1°49′56″W / 55.39217°N 1.83236°W / 55.39217; -1.83236 (Hillhead tunnel)
NottinghamshireAnnesley TunnelRailway9151,0011892
NottinghamshireAshwell TunnelRailway64701889
NottinghamshireDrakeholes TunnelCanal141154[53]1777
NottinghamshireMapperley TunnelRailway1,0351,1321875
NottinghamshirePark TunnelHorsedrawn carriages1251361855
NottinghamshireSherwood TunnelRailway4044421889
NottinghamshireSherwood Rise TunnelRailway6056621899
NottinghamshireSneinton TunnelRailway1171281889
NottinghamshireStanton TunnelRailway1,2201,330Railway Test Track, Stanton on the Wolds1879
NottinghamshireThorneywood TunnelRailway3734081889
NottinghamshireVictoria Street TunnelRailway266291Also known as Weekday Cross Tunnel1897
NottinghamshireWatnall TunnelRailway245268
NottinghamshireMansfield Road TunnelRailway1,0871,1891898[54]
OxfordshireArdley TunnelRailway1,0561,155Great Western Railway, now Chiltern Main Line1910
OxfordshireBodleian Library TunnelLibrary
OxfordshireHorspath or Wheatley TunnelRailway479524Great Western Railway, closed 19631864
OxfordshireWolvercot TunnelRailway133145Buckinghamshire Railway1850
RutlandGlaston TunnelRailway1,6841,8421878
RutlandManton TunnelRailway6857491846
RutlandSeaton TunnelRailway1882061878
RutlandWing TunnelRailway3233531878
ShropshireOakengates TunnelRailway4304711849
SomersetCombe Down TunnelRailway1,6721,829Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway, between Devonshire Tunnel and Midford - closed in 19661874
SomersetDevonshire TunnelRailway409447Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway between Bath Green Park and Combe Down Tunnel; Closed in 1966 now a cycle path1874
SomersetSomerton TunnelRailway9631,053Built as part of the Langport and Castle Cary Railway. Part of the Berks and Hants Line between Taunton and Castle Cary190651°02′36″N 2°45′27″W / 51.04344°N 2.75761°W / 51.04344; -2.75761 (Somerton Tunnel)
SomersetWhite Ball TunnelRailway9901,092Bristol to Exeter line between Taunton and Tiverton Junction on Somerset–Devon border1844
SomersetWinsor Hill Down TunnelRailway219239Brick-lined, Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway between Masbury and Shepton Mallet[55] Rail service closed in 1966 and the tunnel was closed to walkers until the late 1990s[56]1874
SomersetWinsor Hill Up TunnelRailway115126Brick-lined, Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway between Masbury and Shepton Mallet[55] Rail service closed in 1966 and the tunnel opened to walkers.[56]1892
StaffordshireCheddleton TunnelRailway486531Churnet Valley Railway1849
StaffordshireHarecastle Tunnel (Brindley)Canal2,6302,880Closed in 1914 due to subsidence1777
StaffordshireHarecastle Tunnel (Telford)Canal2,6762,9261827
StaffordshireHarecastle railway tunnelRailway200243On new diversion replacing three Victorian tunnels1965
StaffordshireLeek TunnelRailway432472disused since 19641849
StaffordshireMeir TunnelRailway7448141894
StaffordshireMeir TunnelRoad260284Carries A501997
StaffordshireOakamoor TunnelRailway454497disused since 1965, though plans are afoot to relay the line and reopen the tunnel1849
StaffordshireShugborough TunnelRailway7107771847
StaffordshireSwainsley TunnelRoad150164former railway tunnel on the Leek and Manifold Light Railway1904
SuffolkStoke TunnelRailway3303611846
SurreyBetchworth TunnelRailway352385South of Dorking station[57]1867
SurreyBletchingley TunnelRailway1,2131,3271842
SurreyHindhead TunnelRoad1,8302,001Part of the A3 bypassing Hindhead and the Devil's Punchbowl2011
SurreyLimpsfield TunnelRailway5045511884
SurreyMerstham TunnelRailway1,6741,8311841
SurreyMickleham TunnelRailway479524Runs under the eastern side of Norbury Park between Leatherhead and Dorking[58]1867
SurreyOxted TunnelRailway2,0672,2611884
SurreyQuarry TunnelRailway1,9322,113[59]1899
SurreyRedhill TunnelRailway5936491899
SurreyReigate TunnelHorsedrawn carriages91100Brick, length is approximate, said to be the first road tunnel[60][61]1823
SurreySt Catherine's TunnelRailway121132Built by the London and South Western Railway, runs under St Catherine's Hill south of Guildford, also known as the Guildford Sand Tunnel[62]1849
SurreyStaines– Kempton aqueduct tunnelWater76408355River water from the Thames at Hythe End to Kempton Park water works1963
Tyne and WearTyne Cyclist and Pedestrian TunnelPedestrian270300Cyclist and Pedestrian tunnel from Howdon (North) and Jarrow (South)1951
Tyne and WearTyne Tunnel (Western bore)Road1,6761,833Carries northbound traffic on the A19, original tunnel1967
Tyne and WearTyne Tunnel (Eastern bore)Road1,6001,750Carries southbound traffic on the A192011
Tyne and WearVictoria TunnelWagonway1842
Tyne and WearTyne and Wear Metro TunnelsRailwayCarries the Tyne and Wear Metro through the Central Core of the system.1980, 1981 and 1982
WarwickshireFenny Compton TunnelCanal1,0002.75 metres wide with 4.87 metre passing places, opened out to a deep cutting 1838-1870[63]1776
WarwickshireShrewley TunnelCanal3964331799
WarwickshireNewbold TunnelCanal2501778
West MidlandsAnchor ExchangeTelephone52°28′58″N 1°54′15″W / 52.4829°N 1.9042°W / 52.4829; -1.9042
West MidlandsSnow Hill TunnelRailway581635185252°28′51″N 1°53′46″W / 52.48095°N 1.89615°W / 52.48095; -1.89615
West MidlandsBlack Lake TunnelRailway377412Closed 1972, but later reopened for use by the West Midlands Metro in 19991854
West MidlandsDudley TunnelCanal2,8843,154179252°31′03″N 2°05′12″W / 52.517544°N 2.086741°W / 52.517544; -2.086741
West MidlandsDudley Railway TunnelRailway867948185052°30′30″N 2°04′43″W / 52.508392°N 2.078701°W / 52.508392; -2.078701
West MidlandsHockley Tunnel 1Railway124136Closed 1972, but later reopened for use by the West Midlands Metro in 19991854
West MidlandsHockley Tunnel 2Railway150160Closed 1972, but later reopened for use by the West Midlands Metro in 19991854
West MidlandsLapal TunnelCanal3,4703,795Disused since 1917179852°26′42″N 2°00′06″W / 52.4450°N 2.0017°W / 52.4450; -2.0017
West MidlandsNetherton Canal TunnelCanal2,7683,027185852°30′16″N 2°03′34″W / 52.50435°N 2.05932°W / 52.50435; -2.05932
West MidlandsQueensway (Birmingham)Road54860052°28′59″N 1°54′09″W / 52.4830°N 1.9026°W / 52.4830; -1.9026
West Midlands & WorcestershireWast Hill TunnelCanal2,4932,726Wide enough to accommodate two narrow boats but there is no towpath1796
West SussexBalcombe tunnelRailway1,0361,1331841
West SussexClayton TunnelRailway2,0662,2591841
West SussexHaywards Heath TunnelRailway2282491841
West SussexLywood TunnelRailway197215Closed 19631883
West SussexMidhurst TunnelRailway252276Closed 19641866
West SussexSharpthorne TunnelRailway668731Closed 1965, reopened 19941882
West SussexSouthwick Hill TunnelRoad490536Twin-bore tunnel, part of A27 Brighton Bypass1996
WiltshireBox TunnelRailway2,9373,2121841
WiltshireBruce TunnelCanal459502Kennet and Avon Canal1809
WiltshireAlderton TunnelRailway463506South Wales main line1903
Herefordshire & WorcestershireColwall Old TunnelRailway1,4331,567Closed 19261861
Herefordshire & WorcestershireColwall New TunnelRailway1,4331,567In service on the Cotswold Line1926
HerefordshireLedbury TunnelRailway1,2051,318In service1861
HerefordshireDinmore TunnelRailway9701,060In service on Welsh Marches Line, opened 1853 Up Line and 1891 Down Line1853, 1891
WorcestershireRedditch TunnelRailway300330Closed 1980s[64]1868
Yorkshire – EastDrewton TunnelRailway1,9332,114Hull & Barnsley, closed 19591885
Yorkshire - East & LincolnshireHumber Gas TunnelNatural gas4,9005,400Tunnel boring machine (TBM)/Concrete liningDecember 202053°42′04″N 0°14′31″W / 53.701°N 0.242°W / 53.701; -0.242 (Humber Gas Tunnel)
Yorkshire – EastSugar Loaf TunnelRailway121132Hull & Barnsley, closed 19591885
Yorkshire – EastWeedley TunnelRailway121132Hull & Barnsley, closed 19591885
Yorkshire – NorthBurdale TunnelRailway1,5971,7461853
Yorkshire – NorthBlea Moor TunnelRailway2,4042,629Settle–Carlisle line1876
Yorkshire – NorthGrosmont Horse TunnelRailway119130Whitby & Pickering Railway1835
Yorkshire – NorthProspect TunnelRailway754825In Crimple, Harrogate1848
Yorkshire – NorthFalsgrave TunnelRailway240260188554°16′35.9″N 0°24′33.8″W / 54.276639°N 0.409389°W / 54.276639; -0.409389 (Falsgrave Tunnel)
Yorkshire – NorthHaw Bank TunnelRailway2002201888
Yorkshire – NorthKettleness TunnelRailway2823081883
Yorkshire – NorthRavenscar TunnelRailway255279Also Peak Tunnel1885
Yorkshire – NorthSandsend TunnelRailway1,5111,6521883
Yorkshire – NorthWoodsmith Mine TunnelMineral transport37,00040,464Tunnel boring machinesDue 202154°31′06″N 0°57′36″W / 54.5182°N 0.9599°W / 54.5182; -0.9599
Yorkshire – SouthBradway TunnelRailway1,8532,0271870
Yorkshire – SouthCat Hill TunnelRailway1411541840
Yorkshire – SouthNorwood TunnelCanal2,6372,884Disused since 19071775
Yorkshire – SouthThurgoland Tunnel (old)Railway288315[26]Down line from 1952 – Closed 19831845
Yorkshire – SouthThurgoland Tunnel (new)Railway310339[26]Second single-track bore (up line) opened 1952 due to clearance problems on curves, closed 19831953
Derbyshire & Yorkshire – SouthWoodhead Tunnel 1Railway4,8405,293First of 3 railway tunnels, closed for railway traffic in 1953, disused1845
Derbyshire & Yorkshire – SouthWoodhead Tunnel 2Railway4,8405,293Second of 3 railway tunnels, closed for railway traffic in 1953, now used by National Grid for 400kV electricity cables1853
Derbyshire & Yorkshire – SouthWoodhead Tunnel 3Railway4,8715,340Third of 3 railway tunnels, closed for railway traffic in 1981, now used by National Grid for 400kV electricity cables1953
Yorkshire – WestBingley TunnelRailway138151Airedale Line1847
Yorkshire – WestBowling TunnelRailway1,5071,648Calder Valley Line1850
Yorkshire – WestBramhope TunnelRailway3,4393,761Harrogate Line1849
Yorkshire – WestGildersome TunnelRailway2,1312,331Disused tunnel on the former Leeds New Line. Filled with colliery waste to support the M62 being built on top of it in 1971[65]190053°45′06.2″N 1°37′27.3″W / 53.751722°N 1.624250°W / 53.751722; -1.624250 (Gildersome Tunnel)
Yorkshire – WestGreenside TunnelRailway563616Located on the former Pudsey Loop line189353°47′23″N 1°40′12″W / 53.78972°N 1.67000°W / 53.78972; -1.67000 (Greenside Tunnel)
Yorkshire – WestLeeds Inner Ring Road TunnelRoad367401Leeds Inner Ring Road A58(M) under the Leeds General Infirmary1969
Yorkshire – WestLees Moor TunnelRailway1,4021,533188453°50′11.9″N 1°55′32″W / 53.836639°N 1.92556°W / 53.836639; -1.92556 (Lees Moor Tunnel)
Yorkshire – WestMorley TunnelRailway3,0813,3691848
Yorkshire – WestQueensbury TunnelRailway2,5012,287Closed in 1963 - proposal to re-open the tunnel as part of the Great Northern railway Trail187953°45′59.4″N 1°51′24.3″W / 53.766500°N 1.856750°W / 53.766500; -1.856750 (Queensbury Tunnel)
Yorkshire – WestRichmond Hill TunnelRailway640700Leeds and Selby Railway183453°47′42″N 1°31′19″W / 53.795°N 1.522°W / 53.795; -1.522
Yorkshire – WestSummit TunnelRailway2,6382,885Manchester and Leeds Railway1841
Yorkshire – WestThackley TunnelRailway1,2001,300Airedale Line1845
Yorkshire – WestVictoria Avenue TunnelRoad237258Carries A658 under the runway of Leeds Bradford International Airport [1]1982/3
Yorkshire – WestWell Heads TunnelRailway605662Former Great Northern Queensbury Lines[66]188253°47′35.6″N 1°52′39.1″W / 53.793222°N 1.877528°W / 53.793222; -1.877528 (Well Heads Tunnel)

Wales

edit
LocationTunnelTypeLength (m)Length (yd)Construction method / NotesDate of opening
AngleseyBodorgan TunnelRailway530580Two sections of tunnel (approx. 80m and 375m long) separated by open cut1849
CaerphillyPenar TunnelRailway219239On Halls Road Branch between Risca and Markham
CaerphillyGlyn Tunnel, HafodyrynysRailway260280Taff Vale Extension. Single track. Closed 1964. Portals now backfilled1857
CaerphillyCaerphilly TunnelRailway1,7681933In use between Thornhill, Cardiff and Caerphilly. On the Rhymney Railway1871
CardiffQueensgate TunnelRoad715782Part of the A4232 Butetown link road1995
CarmarthenshirePencader TunnelRailway901985Built for broad gauge1861
ConwyConwy Road Tunnel[67]Road1,0801181Carries the A55 road around Conwy1991
ConwyPenmaenbach Westbound Tunnel[67]Road658720Carries the Westbound A55 road through the Penmaenbach headland1989
ConwyPenmaenbach Eastbound Headland Tunnel[67]Road172188Carries the Eastbound A55 road through the Penmaenbach headland1932
ConwyPen-y-Clip Westbound Tunnel[67]Road9301017Carries the Westbound A55 road through the Pen-y-Clip headland1994
GwyneddPenhelig Tunnels (Aberdovey No. 1, Fron-goch)Railway180200One of four tunnels on the Cambrian Coast Railway.1867
GwyneddPenhelig Tunnels (Aberdovey No. 2, Morfa Bach)Railway200219One of four tunnels on the Cambrian Coast Railway.1867
GwyneddPenhelig Tunnels (Aberdovey No. 3)Railway175191One of four tunnels on the Cambrian Coast Railway.1867
GwyneddPenhelig Tunnels (Aberdovey No. 4, Craig-y-Don)Railway487533One of four tunnels on the Cambrian Coast Railway.1867
GwyneddFfestiniog TunnelRailway3,4073726UK's longest single-track tunnel, in use on the Conwy Valley Line1879
Monmouthshire & GloucestershireSevern TunnelRailway7,0127668Longest mainline tunnel in the UK until 2007 when tunnels on High Speed 1 opened1886
MonmouthshireGibraltar TunnelRoad185202Twin bore on A40 dual carriageway1968
MonmouthshireBryn Tunnel, HengoedRailway364398On Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford Railway from Pontllanfraith to Hengoed. Portals now buried
MonmouthshireClydach TunnelsRailway250273Between Nantyglo and Govilon. Closed 19581862, doubled 1877
MonmouthshireGelli-felen TunnelsRailway230352Co-located with Clydach. On a continuous curve of approximately 120 degrees1862
MonmouthshireMonmouth TroyRailway130142Disused and blocked1857
MonmouthshireUskRailway234256Disused but walkable1857
Neath Port TalbotCymmer, Afan ValleyRailway1,4581595Built by the Great Western Railway. Single track. Straight. North end relandscaped
Neath Port TalbotGelli, Afan ValleyRailway153167 [5]Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway. Single track. Stone and brick. Closed 1964.1882
Neath Port TalbotGyfylchi Tunnel, Tonmawr / Afan ValleyRailway (disused)9321019Single track. North end collapsed 1947. South Wales Mineral Railway[2].1863
Neath Port TalbotCwmcerwyn, MaestegRailway9201010Built by the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company. Single track, curved.[3] [permanent dead link]1964
NewportHillfield Tunnels, NewportRailway700770Mainline tunnel west of Newport railway station.
NewportGaer Tunnel, NewportRailway369403Line to Bassaleg west of Hillfield Tunnels.
NewportBrynglas TunnelsRoad370400Twin-bore, two-lane tunnels on M4.1967
PembrokeshireSaundersfoot RailwayRailway4504903 short Coppet Hall Tunnels on the shoreline plus the longer Hill Tunnel inland
PowysTorpantau TunnelRailway610666Brecon and Merthyr Railway. Also called Summit or Beacons Tunnel. Highest rail tunnel in UK at 1,313 feet (400 m)1863
PowysTal-y-llyn TunnelRailway616674Brecon and Merthyr Railway1864
PowysAshford TunnelCanal343375Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal1800
PowysRhayader TunnelRailway270290Mid Wales Railway. Closed 1963. Now a nature reserve1864
PowysMarteg TunnelRailway340372Mid Wales Railway. Closed 1963. North-west of Rhayader1864
Merthyr Tydfil CBCAbernant / MerthyrRailway2,2832497Single track bore, curved at west end and with double-track portal.1853
Rhondda Cynon TâfGarth or Walnut Tree TunnelRailway410490 [11]Barry Railway Company Penrhos branch to Llanbradach. Double track. Closed 1963. Partly breached by Garth Quarry.1905
Merthyr Tydfil CBCMorlais Tunnel, Merthyr TydfilRailway9481040Double track, curved at west end. 3 airshafts. Closed 6 January 1958. Linked LNWR with Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway at Morlais Junction.1 June 1879
Merthyr Tydfil CBCQuaker's Yard or Cefn-Glas Tunnel, AbercynonRailway643703 [16]Vale of Neath / West Midland Railway GWR. Closed to traffic in 1964.1851
Rhondda Cynon TâfRhondda TunnelRailway3,1483443Single track. Closed due to subsidence in the 1960s.1890
Rhondda Cynon TâfTinworks, TreforestWater140150Mill race "feeder" for Crawshays Tinworks. Tunnel made when embankment was constructed1907
Rhondda Cynon TâfPontypriddRailway1,2101323Barry Railway Company Closed and bricked up1889
Rhondda Cynon TâfTongwynlaisRailway160180Cardiff Railway through the Taffs Well gorge. Closed 1938. Removed in constructing A470 dual carriageway at Tongwynlais.1907
SwanseaPenllergaer TunnelRailway267292Active freight and sometimes passenger line on Swansea District Line1912
SwanseaLlangyfelach TunnelRailway1,7851952Active freight and sometimes passenger line on Swansea District Line1912
SwanseaPeniel Green Tunnel (Lônlas)Railway845924Active freight and sometimes passenger line on Swansea District Line1912
SwanseaCockett TunnelRailway721788South Wales Main Line, reduced from 829 yards in 19081852
TorfaenPwll Du TunnelTramroad18752,051Opened 1816 linking Blaenavon with Pwll Du1926
Vale of GlamorganWenvoe TunnelRailway1,7071867Barry Railway. Closed 1964.1898
Vale of GlamorganCogan TunnelRailway203222Barry Railway.1886
Vale of GlamorganBarry Island Tunnel. Also called "Pier Tunnel"Railway260280Barry Railway. Closed in the 1970s bricked up but part of bore used as a rifle range from west portal access.1897
Vale of GlamorganPorthkerry No.1 TunnelRailway498545Vale of Glamorgan Railway1898
WrexhamChirk TunnelCanal420459First in UK to have a towpath1802

Northern Ireland

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LocationTunnelTypeLength
(m)
Length
(yd)
Construction method / NotesDate of opening
LondonderryCastlerockRail611668Brick1845–1853[68]
LondonderryDownhillRail2813071845–1846[69]
ArmaghLissummonRail1,6081759Stone with some brickearly 1860s[70]
DownBinnian TunnelAqueduct4,0004400Stone1948–1952
AntrimWhiteheadRail159145Closed in 1994 until further notice.1862–1994[71]
TyroneDungannonRail8708001862 [72]

Scotland

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LocationTunnelTypeLength (m)Length (yd)Construction method / NotesDate of
opening
DundeeMarketgait TunnelRoad230250Cut and cover. Length[73]
MidlothianBroomieknowe TunnelRailway393430Closed 19511877
GlasgowClyde TunnelRoad7628331964
Dumfries and GallowayDrumlanrig TunnelRailway1,2701,389
GlasgowGlasgow SubwayRailway10,50011,4401896
Scottish BordersWhitrope TunnelRailway1,1051,208Closed 19691862
Scottish BordersPenmanshiel TunnelRailway244267Original tunnel closed in 1979 after collapse and new cutting constructed adjacent to old tunnel.1979
Scottish HighlandsNevis TunnelWater24,00026,400hydroelectric scheme1929
DundeeDock Street TunnelRailway558610
AberdeenSchoolhill TunnelRailway229250
AberdeenHutcheon Street TunnelRailway256280
Edinburgh Scotland Street TunnelRailway9141,0001847
EdinburghBowshank TunnelRailway226247
EdinburghInnocent Tunnel, also St Leonard's TunnelRailway518566Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway. Closed 1968. Now a footpath and cyclepath.1831
FalkirkFalkirk TunnelCanal630690Union Canal connection to Falkirk Wheel and Forth and Clyde Canal1822
GlasgowKelvingrove TunnelRailway870950Glasgow Central Railway. Closed 19641896
GlasgowCowlairs TunnelRailway9059901842
GlasgowAnderston TunnelRailway2,5332,770
GlasgowCanning Street TunnelRailway423463
GlasgowStobcross Street TunnelRailway585640
GlasgowDalmarnock Road TunnelRailway722790
GlasgowCharing Cross TunnelRailway1,0061,100
GlasgowGlasgow Harbour TunnelVehicle and pedestrian2132333 bores. Vehicles hoisted to tunnel level. Closed 19871895
South LanarkshireBarncluith TunnelRailway347380
South LanarkshireKirkhill TunnelRailway265290
Perth and KinrossMoncrieffe TunnelRailway1,1061,210
InverclydeNewton Street TunnelRailway1,9302,110Longest bored railway tunnel in Scotland, linking Greenock to Gourock1889

See also

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References

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Notes

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Bibliography

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  • Alan Blower, British Railway Tunnels, (Ian Allan Ltd, 1964).
  • J.C. Gagg, Book of Canal Tunnels, (J.Gagg, 1976), ISBN 0-9504226-2-2
  • David Jacobs, Bridges, canals & tunnels, (Princeton, N.J, 1968).
  • David J. Appleby, Allan C. Gilbert, and Stephen P. Samuel, Canal Tunnels of England and Wales, (Aylestone, 2001), ISBN 0-9540382-0-7
  • Bardsley, James Rodney (1960). The railways of Bolton, 1824–1959. J.R.Bardsley. ASIN B0000CKNFN.