Monmouth MP David Davies paid tribute to the workers who built the Severn Tunnel after taking a trip underground to view the structure last week.

Mr Davies said: "The story of the Severn Tunnel is a remarkable tale of endurance in the face of seemingly impossible difficulties. An unknown river flowing underneath the Severn caused the tunnel to completely flood after it had been almost completed, and it was only after divers using the most primitive equipment had gone into the flooded shaft to do repairs that work could begin on draining the shafts.

"Ever since it was opened the pumps have had to operate 24-hours-a-day to keep the tunnel from being flooded. The original steam operated pumps were only replaced in the 1960s and sadly they were scrapped instead of being kept for posterity.

"The fact that this enormous project was completed in the days when we still relied heavily on horses and carts for transporting equipment is astonishing. This was one of the most fascinating visits which I have undertaken in seven years of representing Monmouthshire."

Anyone who is interested can read the story of the Severn Tunnel online at http://www.greatwestern. org.uk/severn1.htm