'Boy racers risk lives by speeding through 150-metre tunnel for TikTok likes' - Manifold Valley, Staffordshire, UK
N 53° 06.916 W 001° 51.988
30U E 575867 N 5885693
The Swainsley Tunnel is a single track tunnel, that was constructed for the former Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway that ran between Ecton and Wetton in the Staffordshire Peak District.
Waymark Code: WM155X4
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/22/2021
Views: 2
The tunnel was originally built for the Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway ("L&MVR"). It was built at the insistence of Sir Thomas Wardle, a L&MVLR director, so that the view from nearby Swainsley Hall should not be spoilt. Sir Thomas owned the land above the tunnel.
The route of the railway, and this section of road and tunnel, is now part of the Manifold Way footpath and cycleway.
The Swainsley Tunnel is a 164 yard/150 metre long, single track tunnel between Ecton and Wetton in the Staffordshire Peak District. The northern portal is access by a loop from the Ecton - Butterton road, which runs over the top of the tunnel at this point. The southern portal is accessed from a narrow S1 road (with passing places).
Inside the tunnel, there are several pedestrian refuges built into the side walls. The tunnel itself is finished in faced stonework, yet the refuges are still rough cut. The tunnel is lit at all times.
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A report, about the Swainsley Tunnel by Hayley Parker, appeared in The Sentinel on 22nd June 2021 and reads as follows;
'Boy racers risk lives by speeding through 150-metre tunnel for TikTok likes'
"A Section 59 sign remains in place warning motorists their vehicle may be seized
Boy racers are putting lives at risk by speeding through a tunnel in the North Staffordshire countryside before sharing the footage on social media.
Police are stepping up patrols around Swainsley Tunnel in the Manifold Valley, between Wetton and Ecton, near Leek, following reports of cars and motorbikes being driven in an anti-social manner over the weekend.
Villagers say it has become a hotspot for show-offs from outside the area to film themselves tearing down the 150 metre-long tunnel before performing handbrake turns.
Some are hitting speeds of 80mph along the single car width track linking Wetton Mill, Butterton, Ecton and Warslow.
A number of videos have been uploaded to YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram although most have since been removed.
Section 59 sign remains in place warning motorists their vehicle may be seized if their driving is aggressive or unsafe and if the noise is a causing nuisance such as revving engines and loud stereos.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "Following reports of anti-social behaviour around the area of Swainsley Tunnel, local officers will continue to closely monitor the area to prevent further issues and will take positive action with any offenders."
The problems with boy racers first started in 2009.
One villager said: “There are two types of drivers.
"The first just want to rev their engines through the tunnel to listen to the noise.
"The other type is the ones who race. They drive as fast as they can and then come back and do a handbrake turn. They usually have someone timing them.
"We have called the police many times, who have been helpful.
“However, by the time they get here, as we are off the beaten track, the drivers have gone.”
The tunnel - which is also popular with ramblers and cyclists - was originally built for the Leek and Manifold Light Railway.
Police are asking residents to call 101 immediately if they see a large amount of car enthusiasts travelling through their villages.
They are also being told to make a note of the registration number of any vehicle seen being driven through the tunnel or Manifold track."