‘Labyrinth’ of secret tunnels hidden beneath railway station | EUROtoday

Rail engineers renovating Salisbury Station have found a posh community of tunnels – however no-one is aware of the place they lead.

Workers finishing up a £5.3million renovation of the Wiltshire transport hub encountered an outdated telephone field instantly outdoors the station entrance.

Carrying out drainage checks and lifting the sleepers beneath the telephone field uncovered a darkish and hidden tunnel main beneath the station.

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Engineers ventured underground, squeezing by means of a labyrinth of tunnels and rooms filled with outdated sign tools crafted from timber.

It is believed the tunnel, stretching beneath platform 4, was used to retailer barrels of beer, cider and eggs offered on the station and transported to different cities like Whitchurch.

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There can be area the place Christmas timber have been gathered from the road aspect close to Grateley, on the market to the general public.

Another mysterious room resulting in a ladder descending beneath the station has additionally been found, however remains to be but to be explored.

Salisbury Station is used right this moment by two million individuals every year, however this discovery gives a small glimpse into a part of the station that has been left “unused and forgotten about for decades”, Network Rail stated.

Steve Kelly, Network Rail asset engineer, stated: “This was one of the most interesting discoveries during my career on the railway. It just goes to show that no two days are the same in this industry.

“The tunnel’s origins and purpose have become a topic of fascination, linking modern development with historical exploration. The tunnel offered a rare look into the hidden layers of the railway’s history, preserving a snapshot of the site’s legacy.”

Dan Sherwood, website supervisor at Octavius Infrastructure, added: “We’re thrilled that our survey works led to the incredible discovery of a hidden tunnel beneath the SWR car park redevelopment construction works.

“It’s a reminder of the great thing about undiscovered historic infrastructure – hidden beneath our fashionable world, ready to inform its story.

“We look forward to the second phase, to expose the wall and explore its possible link to the old hospital and uncovering where the staircase leads.”