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Work starting to repair collapsed Liverpool tunnel

Work is starting on repairing the tunnel in Liverpool which collapsed beneath homes last year.

Specialist engineering firm SES Contractors, who were appointed after the city council brokered a deal resolving legal issues, will begin the first phase of the work this week.

All necessary measures are being taken before the work starts to ensure that there will be a robust design and implementation of the work.

The first phase will involve surveying and testing the tunnel from its entrance to the point where it collapsed and is anticipated to be completed in about two weeks.

The tunnel, which was at the site of the old Dingle Station on the Liverpool Overhead Railway, collapsed in July 2012.

Eleven properties were evacuated – eight in Sundridge Street, one in Toxteth Grove and two in Dingle Grove- and residents have had to find alternative accommodation as it was considered too dangerous for them to return to their homes.

Councillor Paul Brant, the Deputy Mayor, said: “I am sure the residents will be very pleased and relieved that work has started at last on repairing the tunnel.

“We spent a long time negotiating to get to this position and we are very aware that it has been an extremely frustrating and stressful time for the residents who have shown a great deal of understanding and patience.

“The contractors involved are very experienced in this type of work. We are now hoping that the work proceeds smoothly.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .