Gripper - Manchester

History

A small brick culvert in south Manchester that carries part of the Gore Brook beneath the city around the Rusholme and Platt Fields area, locally referred to as ‘The Witches Tunnel’. Built during the Victorian expansion of Manchester in the 19th century, it was part of a wider programme to culvert natural streams, so roads and housing could be built over them while improving sanitation and flood control in the rapidly industrialising city. The tunnel runs for around 300 yards, lined with yellow Victorian brickwork, with a narrow channel of flowing water running through the centre and ledges along the sides.