Great Western Coffee Shop

I note that the Two Tunnels Cycleway was first opened 10 years ago today - https://www.twotunnels.org.uk . Congratulations to the team who worked so hard to make this possible, some of whom are members here.   It's a wonderful day out / walk / ride through the old Devonshire and Combe Down tunnels, and the section of the Somerset and Dorset from Bath though to Midford. I've done it several times and MUST do to again

Blinkin' flip.....10 years already?  I remember chatting with the entrance staff at Bath's NT Prior Park property who told me about it as it was due to open shortly.  I've done it a few times since, most memorably on my second or third visit when I went with my brother but didn't tell him about the "surprise" in the longer tunnel....well, why spoil it?

A memorable experience and one I recommend to friends - and a big THANK YOU to those who worked so hard to make it happen. You know who you are.  ;D

And now, 11 year anniversary today, for good measure it falls on a Saturday.

A couple of photos: one of the opening day crowds, and another of ex S&D footplate crew John Sawyer and Tim Hughes (who had a Bath Junction to Midford token pouch on his arm). Alas, Devonshire Tunnel is still closed for the time being, an... issue... with the tunnel drain still needs addressing.

Mark

(https://i.postimg.cc/Njn2mmq1/two-tunnels-opening-day-crowds.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/76ZLRLkx/tim-hughes-john-sawyer-two-tunnels-opening-day-1000.jpg)

I don't feel the current situation is going to change soon

https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-tunnel-closed-again-due-flooding-307683 (https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-tunnel-closed-again-due-flooding-307683)

Am interested how they managed to do it despite English Nature Natural England shouting BATS (as opposed to Great Crested Newts). Another former railway tunnel in Wales has gone ahead despite the Welsh equivalent playing the bats card, although it is shut part of the year during the bat breeding season.

The South Downs National Park are going through all sorts of contortions over the tunnels on the Chichester - Midhurst line, alternative suggestions hardly suitable for manual wheelchair users who are not paralympians. Is it a case that BANES was prepared to face down English Nature and a National Park feel they can't.

UPDATE: correct name of quango