Under and over the water to celebrate Culture Year

Mar 10 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

A RARE chance to walk through the Queensway tunnel is being offered this June as part of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture celebrations.

Those taking part will be able to walk through the tunnel – which will be closed to traffic – from Liverpool to Birkenhead, as well as take a trip on board the world-famous Mersey ferry.

The day will include a full programme of entertainment, with performances from the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and a vintage car rally.

There will also be Gospel artists from across the world and street performers from Liverpool Lighthouse, the UK’s first dedicated urban gospel arts centre.

The walkthrough event – called Under and Over the Mersey – is organised by Merseytravel, one of the official partners of European Capital of Culture.

Cllr Ken McGlashan, chair of the organisation’s Mersey Tunnels Board, said: “The River Mersey is at the heart of this whole region and the tunnels and ferries are both important links across the water.

“We want to bring the people of Wirral, Liverpool, Merseyside and beyond together for what will be a unique event.”

The last walkthrough of the Mersey Tunnels was held in 1994 and attracted some 25,000 people.

When the Queensway was opened in 1934, 80,000 people took part in a celebratory walk through.

Neil Scales, chief executive and director general of Merseytravel, said: “As official partners, we are fully committed to European Capital of Culture. This will be a fantastic event that will bring people and families across the region together in a day of celebration.

“We want this to be one of the great events taking place throughout 2008 that people remember for many years.”

The event, which will be held on Sunday, June 15, between 11am and 4pm, will cost £5 per person or £15 for a family of up to two adults and two children. Children under five will go free.

Everyone taking part will receive a specially cast commemorative medal and free travel on the Mersey Ferries to and from the event.

The 2.23mile Queensway Tunnel is the longest tunnelled estuarial road crossing in the UK and it carries more than 11m vehicles a year.

Participants can also enter online at www.pennineevents.co.uk

alanweston