Thousands walking their way to tunnel’s history

Jun 14 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

THOUSANDS of people are expected to take part in only the fourth ever walk through the Mersey Tunnels this weekend.

The planned stroll – through the Queensway Liverpool to Birkenhead tunnel – is the first since 1994, when 25,000 made their own piece of history.

When the Queensway was opened in 1934, 80,000 people joined a celebratory walkthrough. More than 7,000 have already signed up ahead of time this year’s.

One woman, Beryl Hindley, of Maghull, will be one of them, proudly bearing the pin-on medal her father was given when he did the walk in 1934.

He is too poorly to make the walk this time, so she is picking up the mantle.

Merseytravel is promising a packed entertainment programme, with special performances from the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and a vintage car rally.

The traditional Hakka, normally performed before New Zealand All Black rugby matches, will be performed.

Gospel artists from joint Capital of Culture venue Stavanger, in Norway, and street performers from Liverpool Lighthouse will provide the colour and carnival atmosphere.

Cllr Ken McGlashan, chair of 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.”

Walkers will cover the 2.34 miles to Birkenhead, where heritage buses will transport many of them to the Mersey ferries, on which free travel is being offered to and from the event.

Buses will also be stationed on the Pier Head to take other walkers back to St George’s Hall.

Sunday’s event will be launched by Phil Redmond and Merseytravel chairman Cllr Mark Dowd who are billing Under And Over The Mersey as one of the biggest events in the 2008 calendar.

Everyone taking part will receive a specially cast commemorative medal.

Merseytravel chief executive Neil Scales said: “It is great to have so many people registered.

“We anticipated many people would want to turn up on the day and register to take part there and then, so we have made provision for that.

“We want this to be one of the great events in 2008.”

richarddown