Photo of the junction of High Street North and Romford Road, with the bank and shop including, J. Fountain Sadler, and Manor Park Home and Cononial Meat Stores on the right. The vacant site on the left is where the Earl Of Essex pub now stands.

Newham Heritage & Archives Ref AG02 

The Woolwich Free Ferry opened in 1889. The pier was demolished after the new ferry terminal was opened in 1966. The tunnel was designed as an alternative river crossing and opened in 1912.

Posted by: Kathy Taylor

The Foot Tunnel under the Thames at North Woolwich.

It was built to provide a more reliable connection between North and South Woolwich, as the bad winter fogs often stopped the Woolwich Free Ferry from operating. It also provided a route for services, including a 20” water main

By Robert Rogers

I was recently invited to view the building of the National Grid tunnel which will supply power to the Olympic site in 2012. After being met at the site entrance, we were given a safety lecture as to the risk of Tunnel work, which comes under the Mining Act 1998. We were then handed over to a senior Mining Engineer and issued with Safety Equipment. At this point it became slightly worrying because like proper miners we were issued with breathing apparatus from the pit head store in case of an emergency and then issued with an ID tag. The gentleman in the store happily told us that the tag was fire proof, and in the event of a fire or explosion, they could identify our bodies via the number on that tag!