[Box tunnel portal in May, 1986 before stone cleaning]
Varian Tye writes from Box:
“The attached photographs, I believe, are rare, were taken in 1986, and show Brunel’s Portal to the tunnel before and after stone cleaning.
I am at present trying to encourage Network Rail, in the repair works they are undertaking to the stone balustrade, also to undertake a more comprehensive stone cleaning of the Portal, in particular the attractive down sweeping stone returns either side of the main entrance, which are very soiled and have a very dark grey appearance at present.
I understand that NR have only planned at present to clean the areas of stone relating to the reinstatement of the missing sections of stone balustrade and a small section below it, not a comprehensive clean.
The scaffold for the most part is up to undertake work on the stone balustrade, and if the opportunity is not taken now to undertake a more comprehensive scheme I feel that the chances of it occurring in the future is very limited, in particular due to the cost and disruption involved with erecting scaffold again, once taken down, and the increased costs associated with any future stone cleaning proposals.
If you agree that it would be desirable for a more comprehensive scheme of stone cleaning works to be included with repairs/reinstatement of the missing section of the stone balustrade, can you please consider reporting the above on Bath Newseum and noting that I asked if anybody else in Bath agrees, and can they please consider contacting Network Rail to make their views known?
It would be helpful to have a photo showing what it is like now. Please would you ask your contributor to supply one. In principle I agree it makes sense to do it while there is scaffolding in place.
A no brainer. Especially when masses of money is wasted on dead end projects like the Cleveland Baths