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Portnalls Railway Tunnels

Hotwells, Avon Gorge.

Long before the construction of the main A4 (The Portway) road in the 1920s, the gorge was served by The Bristol Port and Pier Railway, which connected Clifton Station (situated below the Suspension Bridge) to Avonmouth. Between the station (long defunct) and Point Villa (another demolished building), the railway ran underground through two tunnels, passing below the modern Bridge Valley Road. These remain intact and were used as air-raid shelters during WWII and subsequently as underground firing ranges by the Bristol Gun Club. Remains from both uses remain in situ, along with a section of the original tunnel, but all access points are firmly sealed. They have been variously recorded as Bridge Valley Road Tunnels, Bridge Valley Road Deep Shelter, Avon Gorge Firing Tunnels and the Avon Gorge Bunker.

Alternative Names: Bridge Valley Road Tunnels, Bridge Valley Road Deep Shelter, Avon Gorge Firing Tunnels, Avon Gorge Bunker

Notes: SU1 p.52