Would any T&TI readers be able to advise on an issue our group has encountered in attempting to excavate some historic tunnels? We are currently trying to gain access to excavate one of the many parts of the Williamson Tunnels, built in Liverpool by a retired eccentric in the early 1800s (see www.williamsontunnels.com).
Does the owner of a freehold have any title or rights regarding tunnels passing below his property? The property we are concerned with is built on land under part of which is a series of vaults and cellars going down four or more stories almost certainly with brick tunnels running off under adjacent properties.
As the tunnels were built with no apparent function, are they considered differently from underground services? If not what is the situation with such services? It has been suggested to us that a freeholder owns everything beneath his property right to the centre of the earth – is this the case?
As a charity we are seeking answers to these questions in the hope that decisions already made will save us buying expensive legal opinions. We are also negotiating outright purchase of a nearby piece of land with similar ‘Williamson’ connections – the same considerations will apply here, but, in this case, we will, of course, be the freeholders.
Frank Hodges
Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels
