From 1890 to 1896 three tunnels each some 5m in diameter, were constructed between Tunnel Street in Finnieston and Mavisbank Quay for the Glasgow Harbour Tunnel Company.
One, at a higher level, was reserved for pedestrians while
the other two below carried north- and southbound horse-drawn
vehicles. At either end the domed rotundas covered 24m deep
shafts containing hydraulic lifts and stairs to take users to and
from the tunnels. Originally, three-storey red and white brick
towers stood alongside them, containing the hydraulic accumulators
that powered the lifts, but these have been demolished.
The tunnels were never financially successful and were
eventually taken over by the City as a service. Water tended
to ooze through creating some spectacular 'stalactites' hanging
from the roof. When the passenger tunnel fell into disuse people
began to use the vehicle tunnels. In 1932 local writer, James
Cowan, described his smooth quiet descent by lift 'among a
bewildering medley of wheels and cables' and, then, 'walking a
little ahead of my equine companion, whose clattering hoofs
echoed loudly in the confined space' while the electric lamps
lent 'a certain beauty' to the passage ahead.
During the 1939-45 War all the lift metalwork was removed for
the war effort. The tunnel reopened to pedestrians in 1947
and continued in use until 1980.
Also at Queen's Dock and Yorkhill Quay (Back to listings)