Plans are under way to turn Preston’s old Deepdale railway line, including the Miley Tunnel, into a public walking route into the city after volunteers spent 18 months clearing rubbish and overgrowth.
The line originally formed part of the Longridge and Preston railway, which opened in 1840 and carried materials including stone for Fulwood Barracks.
The Miley Tunnel was built after the route was extended west towards Maudland in the 1840s. Originally intended as an open cutting, it was instead covered with brickwork and earth, running beneath North Road, Moor Lane and Adelphi Street.
Steam trains began using the line in 1848, while Deepdale Station later served commuters and football supporters. Passenger services ended in 1930, although freight traffic continued for decades.
In later years, the disused route became associated with fly-tipping, fires and accidents.
Here are some photos showing the Miley Tunnel and old railway line over the years.
1. 1970
Entrance to the Miley Tunnel an area around the present day university back in 1970 | User (UGC)
3. Project
Another project for living units known as 'Forgotten Spaces: Miley Living' was drawn up in 2013 | Other 3rd Party
4. Plans
In 2013 a project known as The Hive was envisaged. It would consist of a series of modular pods offering housing to students in the Miley Tunnel | Other 3rd Party