Closed : 1964

Engineering code : ROS

Length: - 600m

The attractive and heavily engineered GWR Wye Valley line between Chepstow and Ross has four tunnels. Due to its scenic route to the west of the Forest of Dean, a local enthusiast's group is interested in reinstating the line between Tidenham and Tintern and eventually on to Monmouth.

I parked up in Lydbrook, as from here I could access the east portal of the Symond's Yat tunnel and also the Lydbrook tunnerl. Since I had to retrace my steps all the way to Lydbrook bridge (where the Wye valley line crossed the river), this bridge is still intact, with a wooden gangway placed on top of the ironwork. This gangway has seen better days. 100 yards further on was th rather muddy poratal of the Lydbrook tunnel.Habing made my way through the hole in thebreeze block wall, I found out justhow momoist this tunnel was.

This called for a return to my car (fortunately only 1/4 mile away) to change into my wellies. On return ti the tunnel, I found that the bore was flooded to up to 9 inches deep for about 20 or 30 yards inside. Although it did not appear so, the light that made its way in here was somewhat green, reflecting off the fresh spring undergrowth. This shows in a couple of the photos I took. The tunnel bore is straught for the southern 200 - 300 yards, with the floor of this section muddy and water lying in the imprints left by the sleepers when they were removed. The northern section is dry and slightly curved. The stone used to line this section changes from dark to light, and from a dstance, reflected torchlight gives this section an eerie glow. I found the north section to be open, again the breezeblock wall has partilly collapsed.