This is a ventilation shaft for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. It’s one of five ventilation shafts that were constructed for the London tunnels section of the rail link. The wayside ventilation shaft was built in 1994. It stands like a giant, cylindrical sentinel hidden away in the heart of London. The London Tunnels were designed as permanent sprayed concrete-lined tunnels. They were constructed in two phases – temporary primary and permanent secondary linings. The shaft is a crucial safety feature. It provides ventilation for the tunnels. In case of an emergency, the shaft can also be used as an emergency access point for the tunnels. It is hard to imagine, but this concrete shaft was built above 32 square meters of tunnels going through the London Clay formation. This was no easy feat. The tunnels are lined with sprayed concrete and have internal curing agents and steel fibres adding to their strength. Imagine, the size and scale! The shaft, like its counterparts, is a marvel of engineering that ensures the proper functioning of the tunnel network. It’s a silent guardian often overlooked, yet plays a vital role.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service