UK Manhole Covers + Storm Drains
After having a look around on the internet, I managed to find nothing more than an article on Wikipedia which didn't help, and a load of explorations on 28dayslater. Anyway, I've just had a sudden interest in underground tunnels, including sewer systems and the idea of going into storm drains. I've had a look around on 28DL and I've dug out a bunch of exploration stories which show some people underground in massive sewer systems, including a few other tunnels which seem to run off the side of streams and rivers. Now, I have a couple of questions on these areas;
Do the types of manhole cover vary, depending on the type of drain which lies below it? For example, I know that the shitty water runaway drains at the side of the street are your basic metal grate and they all look the same - can the same be said for the manhole covers which have a ladder below them? I know they must all be big enough to fit a body down, so that's one giveaway. I can't seem to find anything online which will help though.
Also, is the sewer system/tunnels recorded down on underground maps, and where can I obtain them? If I go and speak to the right person, can I go and get a copy of a map of the sewerage system in my area? Does this map include entry points, or do I need to find them myself?
I'll probably have more questions later.
Do the types of manhole cover vary, depending on the type of drain which lies below it? For example, I know that the shitty water runaway drains at the side of the street are your basic metal grate and they all look the same - can the same be said for the manhole covers which have a ladder below them? I know they must all be big enough to fit a body down, so that's one giveaway. I can't seem to find anything online which will help though.
Also, is the sewer system/tunnels recorded down on underground maps, and where can I obtain them? If I go and speak to the right person, can I go and get a copy of a map of the sewerage system in my area? Does this map include entry points, or do I need to find them myself?
I'll probably have more questions later.
Comments
(1)It shall be the duty of every sewerage undertaker so to provide local authorities, free of charge, with—
(a)copies of the contents of records kept under section 199 above; and
(b)copies of any modifications of those records,
as to ensure that every local authority to whose area any of those records relate are at all times informed of the contents for the time being of the records relating to their area.
(2)A local authority shall secure that so much of any information provided to them by virtue of this section as consists in the contents for the time being of records kept by a sewerage undertaker under section 199 above is available, at all reasonable times, for inspection by the public free of charge at an office of the authority.
E: these maps do display the location of manhole covers and entry points.
I was amazed by how easily obtainable this kind of stuff is as well. Back when I wrote my dissertation (which revolved around flooding) I asked different government bodies and quangos for all kinds of stuff and most of them delivered. Someone from the EA even posted me a CD's worth of maps and catchment plans.
The main reason the maps you're after are made publically available is for potential property buyers/developers to look at. For people who are planning on buying a property and changing it's use or altering the structure significantly the location of waste water points etc is useful info. This might be a cover story worth bearing in mind if you're feeling a little paranoid about walking into the council building and asking to see the plans with no obvious reason to do so.
I might try calling up the council office and asking first, just to make sure. I might also push them to mail me some maps, but I'll probably end up going down there anyway.
Can you run me through what you did? It would be very helpful
Went there, asked the camp bloke on the desk where I can go to enquire about storm drains and sanitation. Down he came and I just maintained that role of Student for the 30 minutes we were printing, finding and talking about maps. If you can find any info out before you go to make it look like you're doing an assignment or whatever, then the better
As for "storm drains" these guys still called them that and they were between 20 and late 50s, so it's a common term. Don't believe everything on the 'net
You want culverts. Culverts are small river valleys that have been covered over but usually have a high engough ceiling so it can be walked. Stay away from anything you have to crouch in for any period of time, you do not know when it is going to piss down.
This is one local to me - every now and again it has been infilled inside, it also has a few blast doors. The river runs about four foot underneath the deck you walk on. It is about 2/3 mile long.
Easiest way to find them it to look at OS maps or walk river banks. It used to be a gold mine of deralict industry in these parts - old coalmines, ship yards and factories that made all kinds of things.
Bit of an odd feeling when you come across newspaper in a drawer that some one bought 20 years ago, or an old sweet wrapper. It is like going into these places is the first step of humans recolonise an area, reclaiming what was once theirs.
Now its cheaper for a owner of a building to knock it down rather than see it empty.
Or whose piss you're crouching in.
Do the maps of drainage and shit show culverts on them? Or can I get these locations and maps online for free?
That is Byker culvert in the photo. I have done it a few times.
Just buy some OS maps or look at them in the library - I prefer to have my own to take out with me. Look for un-natural breaks in drainage channels on them, a lot of old mine works are marked - good for above ground sometimes but dont go below ground unless you know what you are doing. Just ponder over a map and look for stuff - strange topography, large flat areas that have a road going to them but no other markings etcetera.
I don't live there, just been there a couple of times
As you walk along the quayside, there's only a small fence which is stopping you from falling into the river. However, it's only about waist high... How many people have literally stepped out of a bar/club, drunkenly crossed the street and gone straight over the railings?
Never heard of anyone managing to do that, but on a couple of occasions people either fell or drunkenly decided to jump off the Tuxedo Princess.
Despites it's appearances I'm not actually surprised. The main river is actually rediculously clean (in terms of chemicals and what not). Supposedly there's a big salmon population in the river now, which is an indication of a very celan water course. Never went in the main river myself; something about the tides and undercurrents put me off. Been in the North Tyne up near Wall though, that's a beautiful stretch of river for wild swimming.