Victoria Arches/Cathedral Steps Update

 Visited By Ojay & Stepping Lightly.

'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 Solo1 in July 2009. (See Below).

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

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

Whats up here I wonder?

Some shots from Stepping Lightly

A couple more little unseen pic's form that little hole 18ft up in arch 1...

Not a lot to see but....

Once one of the original ways into the 'Arches'.