Victoria Arches/Cathedral Steps Update - June 2010

[crippletron 3000]

Victoria Arches/Cathedral Steps Update - Visited By Ojay & Stepping Lightly.



Codename 'Irwell City Park' I first read about this HERE

Here is an artists impression of the finished article for those that haven't seen it before



And a map of the whole project



PDF Link HERE


Anyway, after months of speculation about supposed work etc going on underground in the 'Arches' I decided to go and take another look here

to see what all the fuss was about.......

The verdict, very little!

Infact the only visible evidence is a number of bore holes in the brickwork at varying heights in strategic places and within specific 'Arches'

that link back to the proposed plans above. A number of survey markings as shown in the pictures below with measurments marked up, again in specific

places.

There has also been a few smaller 'digs', again in strategic areas which on closer inspection appear related to the proposed CATHEDRAL WALK BRIDGE.

This links back to the following findings by Stepping Lightly in July 2009



These 'Test Digs' it's fair to say are in relation to the foundations that will be required to support the new structure. It also appears that

despite the plans they may only be utilising the top section of the arches, IE Arches 1 to 10 as this is where the majority of the findings were observed.


Here are a few photos of some of the changes


Dig in Arch 2, this is where the CATHEDRAL WALK BRIDGE will be constructed





Survey markers, these were all over Arches 1 and 2



Test bore; hole at 2.5m. Again these were found in various places throughout Arches 1 - 10.





Cores from test bores





Measurements in Arch 8



Continued.......

[crippletron 3000]

Whilst here I took a few more pictures of which I either missed on previous visits or have some historical importance


Original Lighting & Ventilation Plant in Arch F



Original stone footings for Victoria Bridge



Left over apparatus from the Manchester Electricity Department testing station





Original street level, as can be seen sloping down just under the ventilation pipe below the top Arch



from the otherside you can see the sloping level above the brickwork and extending beyond the door way



here it is again, just above the brick dust



'Drinking Water' sign



Wardens Post in Arch 2



Power cables



Strengthened Arch



Entrance in Arch 15 from River Irwell



Public Convenience, Arch 4






Thanks for looking

[KingElvis]

very nice indeed.

[boxfrenzy]

I like this a lot. Very detailed too

[converse1]

Very impresive!

[BB]

Very nice indeed!