MERSEY TUNNEL
COMPLETION IN 1931
TO COST OVER. SEYE;4 MILLIONS
LIVERPOOL, January 31
It is estimated- by the contractors that the work on the road tunnel now under construction between Liverpool and Birkeimead, will be finished in Alay, 1934, it was stated at a special
meeting of the Liverpool City Council yesterday by Sir Thomas Waite, the 'chairman, cf the Mersey Tunnel Committee. Sir Thomas added tout enquiries were being made to see whether it would be possible to open the tunnel at an early' date with temporary ventilation plant, Which, it was estimated, would cost £7-5,000, and investigations were'being made to sea whether that sum would be recouped by tolls.
Another member of the City Council, Mr Morrissey, urged that the tunnel might be opened for foot passengers and cyclists before it was safe for motor \ r eliicles to go through it. With only one dissentient, the council decided to promote, in conjunction with the Birkenhead Corporation, a Parliamentary Bill to confirm further borrowing powers for the completion of the tunnel: to increase the aggregate amount of tolls which might be collected and to extend the period of collection ; to provide for an extension of the period during which the Birkenhead Ferry undertaking might be managed by the Tunnel C ommittee; to construct a . regulation station, and to revive the powers and extend the time for the purchase of land. Sir Thomas White explained that the total cost of the tunnel, so far us could he ascertained at present, would be £7,723,000. The cost of the works would ho £645,000, less than that amount, a nd of that sum £600,000 was for accumulated interest capitalised, and £45,000 for various Parliamentary pomotions. For the purpose 0 f carrying on the tunnel every year there would be required an income of £220,000. To redeem the debt and pay the interest £153,000 would be required, and £47,000 would go- into the Loans Equalisation Fund, which became operative forty years, hence; there would he £10,030 for reserve fund and £10,003 for working expenses. The income from tolls would he £IIO,OOO, and of the remaining £IIO,OOO, Birkenhead would find £IB,OOO, and the rest would have to come from Liverpool. The contribution of Birkenhead was limited to a rate of 5 l-3d, but there was no limit to Liverpool’s liability.
The Tunnel Committee was proposing to take over the Birkenhead Ferry undertaking for 21 years. Extra expense had been< caused because the noxious fumes had to bo carried above high buildings recently ■erected, and the vibration caused by fans had to ho deadened by cavity walls.
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Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1933, Page 8
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431MERSEY TUNNEL Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1933, Page 8
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