Latest news with #Saddleworth
The Sun
11 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
‘Eerie portal to a lost world' that lies beneath council estate – network of abandoned tunnels left to rot for 60 years
A EERIE maze of tunnels left to rot under a council estate has been likened to a "portal to a lost world". They are buried deep beneath a quiet Greater Manchester housing estate, the 1,332-yard tunnel was closed over 60 years ago. 5 5 Known as Lydgate Tunnel, this Victorian-era passage runs between Grotton and Grasscroft in Saddleworth, and was once part of the infamous Delph Donkey line on the London and North Western Railway. Opening in 1856, the tunnel was hailed as a triumph of engineering. The West Yorkshire Advertiser called it 'firmly built' with 'scarcely any vibration' as trains thundered through. But its construction came at a cost. Just a year before opening, labourer Luke Crossby, 31, tragically plunged to his death down an 85-yard shaft. In 1855, the Manchester Courier described how he 'missed the tub' and fell headfirst. His body was found 'much shattered' and the coroner returned a verdict of accidental death. For nearly a century, the tunnel echoed with the sound of steam engines, until the Delph Donkey line was axed in 1955, part of the controversial Beeching cuts that destroyed Britain's rail network. Freight trains rolled through for a few more years, but by 1964, Lydgate Tunnel was sealed off and left to the elements. Now, this creepy time capsule lies hidden beneath homes, fenced off from the public – but that hasn't stopped urban explorers from sneaking in and sharing spine-tingling photos online. Images posted to the Disused Railway Tunnels UK Facebook page show a haunting scene. Car graveyard with 300 classic vehicles abandoned in field goes up for sale – some can be driven straight from lot The tunnel's eastern entrance is bricked up, only accessible through a locked steel door or shuttered window. Despite six decades of abandonment, the brickwork inside is well-preserved. One explorer described it as 'a portal to another long-lost world', while another claimed mist 'hovered in layers… very eerie.' Comments flood in calling it 'spooky,' 'atmospheric,' and a 'forgotten gem.' Local residents shared memories of walking through the tunnel as children. One said: 'I was born just 30 yards from the Grotton end. "Walked it from the age of eight. The alcoves were there to shelter from oncoming trains.' Others slammed authorities for allowing such a 'stunning piece of Victorian craftsmanship' to fall into obscurity. 'All we had to do was maintain it, but instead we abandoned it,' wrote one user. Martin Zero, a content creator with a fascination with derelict buildings shared a video from the depths of the tunnels which has already been watched over 26,000 times. There are growing calls to bring Lydgate Tunnel back to life – not for trains, but for people. Martin pointed out the ventilation shafts and the refuges, which were where railway workers could hide for safety when a train passed through. Describing these refuges, Martin said: 'I think it's impressive. It's quite scary because when you look at that, you get the impression of what you're going through, what surrounds us, and what they've had to tunnel through to get here. 'You get the impression of what they were faced with when they were coming through the tunnel, just rock. I find it quite daunting, to be honest.' One YouTube user commented: 'I travelled on the Delph Donkey every day with my mum to Glodwick Road station in Oldham, where she worked. My dad also caught the train to Platts. "I was born in 1951, and on one occasion mice, bred in Delph for research, and dispatched by the Delph Donkey, escaped from their cages, and caused chaos amongst the passengers.' 5 5 5
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police issue update after elderly couple found dead in reservoir car wreckage
Police have issued an update after an elderly couple were found dead when a car was pulled from a Saddleworth reservoir. Detectives are continuing to investigate a collision which led to John and Marilyn Saxon, both 78, being tragically pulled from the wreckage more than two months ago. Officers were called out to Crook Gate Reservoir, in Denshaw, shortly after 10am on Saturday, March 15. READ MORE: Hundreds pay tribute as teenagers killed in Salford horror crash named and pictured READ MORE: Road blocked as family and friends pay tribute to two teenagers killed in motorbike crash It's believed the couple had been travelling by car along Huddersfield Road before their vehicle left the carriageway and entered the water. Their family previously paid tribute to the 'kind, caring and generous husband and wife'. An investigation into how the collision took place is ongoing, and a CCTV appeal was issued to find two potential witnesses earlier this week. In an update issued today (Saturday), Greater Manchester Police has released a further CCTV image, showing two more people who may be able to assist officers with their enquiries. A GMP spokesperson said: "Officers would like to thank the public for their support in sharing the previous CCTV appeal as they were able to identify the two witnesses who we were previously appealing for help to locate. "Officers are now in a position in their investigation to release a further CCTV image of two more witnesses they would like to speak to who were also at Junction Inn car park, Rochdale Road in Denshaw at around 7pm on March 14, 2025, and it is believed they may have information, as witnesses, that could assist investigators. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE "If you are the individuals in the image, know who they are, or can provide any information about this incident please contact us, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit can be contacted on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 851-150325. "Alternatively, details can be shared on our LiveChat function on our website or via the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111." --- For the latest stories and breaking news visit Get the latest headlines, features and analysis that matter to you by signing up to our various Manchester Evening News newsletters here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to stay up to date with the latest. Follow us on X @mennewsdesk for all the latest stories and updates on breaking incidents from across the region and beyond, as well as on our Facebook page here. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our newsdesk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.
