Two Tunnels Greenway

A new shared path for Bath and North East Somerset

Day Return to Tunnel Gulch™: Friday 17th July 2007

Retrospective

Here's links to the latest news on this event. (If you'd to combine the event with a picnic, do bring the makings of one. And waterproof clothing ...)

Sustrans has negotiated access to Combe Down Tunnel on the 6th July as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations, which culminate in the 'Party in the park' in Bristol on the 7th.

During the week, a party of people on cycles will travel from Bristol to Swansea, and then across the Bristol Channel to Ilfracombe aboard the Balmoral. From Ilfracombe they'll travel to Wells, and then Bath on Friday 6th July - via Combe Down Tunnel. Update: they've been sighted at Taunton on Wednesday evening - they're en route for Bath on Friday ...

Our part in this? We've received the OK to put together a list of names from our mailing list - a list of people who'd like to go through the tunnel on that day ... if you (or a friend or relative) would like to take part, but are not on our mailing list, simply sign up. Read on for more info on what you'll also need to do to register for this event.

Arrangements on the day

The starting point for this event will be the Tucking Mill end of Combe Down Tunnel. Parking there will be available, but is limited - if you can arrive on foot or by public transport then so much the better. Bath to Frome bus services call at the Hope and Anchor at Midford, from there the tunnel is a half hour walk following the footpath that runs along the trackbed and circumventing Tucking Mill Viaduct. Various other footpaths from Combe Down serve the site - consult an OS map.

The tunnel is owned by Wessex Water who are kindly providing staff cover for this event. They've requested that we organise groups of a maximum of 30 people, departing for a through-and-back walk to the Lyncombe Vale portal, entering the south portal at the following times.

• 12:00
• 12:30
• 13:00
• 13:30
• 14:00
• 16:00
• 16:30
• 17:00

Between 14:00 and 16:00 it's expected that participants from the Sustrans anniversary ride will pass through, after which, booked passage will be available for us once again. The last group of the day entering at 5pm will return to Tucking Mill by 6pm.

One way trip info

If you prefer a one way trip through the tunnel you are welcome to make your way out at Lyncombe vale and bid adieu to the stewards. If you then need to return to Tucking Mill to retrieve a vehicle there are a number of walking routes available across the top of Combe Down, or the Frome bus from Bath to Midford offers an alternative.

What to bring

• Footwear with ankle support if possible.
• Outdoor clothing for the english summer.
• A hard hat or a cycle helmet if at all possible. We'll have a certain amount of provision, but it would make this exercise far more robust if you could beg or borrow your own for this event.
• Patience in case it's needed
• A picnic, if you intend to turn up early or can be there between 2 and 4 to encourage a large group of Sustrans people on their way through ...
• A torch. A torch will definitely be good. You will bring one won't you ...

How to book places

We have limited availability. The 12:00 and 17:00 timeslots have proved popular, please avoid them. Send an email to us using the address at the foot of this page before 07.30 am on the 6th stating the time you request and we'll do our best to respond.

How to make best use of this opportunity

• Use this event to promote our route. You'll bring nearer the day that people can use the route as a matter of course as part of their daily travel patterns. While we fully intend to have this route open in the near future, this is an opportunity to visit this historic structure.
• If you like, bring some sort of talisman to take through the tunnel - some small object important to you or even to the old railway line the infrastructure of which we'll be using.
• No, not a 9F. Unfortunately ...

Latest News: Updated July 5th

Confidence ...

... continues high that this event will go ahead as planned.

Weather forecast

Was grim, but has improved considerably. Rain Dancers are on order for Tucking Mill at dawn on Friday.

Charity Fundraising for Wateraid

Wessex Water is providing their staff time and expertise for this. In return we'll use this event to raise funds for a charity supported by Wessex Water - we'll hold a collection at the event itself. 'Wateraid' "Works in 17 countries, providing water, sanitation and hygiene education to some of the world's poorest people". If we all give an average of £2 this event will hopefully raise at least £250 for Wateraid.

Hard Hats

We've learned that we'll be required to wear hard hats inside the tunnel. We're just sorting out arrangements for this, and may have a few spares, but if you can individually arrive with a begged or borrowed cycle helmet or hard hat, this will help. (If you actually have a supply of hard hats, get in touch ... but I won't mention torches as you are going to bring one of those, aren't you?)

Your Booking

If you've booked before the late evening of the 4th, it's safe to assume that you have your first choice of timeslot. If you've booked after that time, things will probably be no different for you, but it's just possible that we may need to allocate you to your second choice. Interest levels are such that we have a good balance of bookings against availability.

Booking via the online form is now closed. If you would like to come along, please send an email to us stating the time you'd prefer, before 07.30 on the 6th. (Address at the foot of the page). The 12:00 timeslot is almost booked up, the 16:00 is shaping up too. Choose others if you can ...

Here's a link to the bookings list.

Aerial image of Tucking Mill

If you're not familiar with the area, this will help - once you've arrived. There is rather less tree cover than this image suggests. Once at Tucking Mill, it's not difficult to find your way around and stewards will be available for guidance.

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