Chapter 4 Type of Tunnel
(D) Digging under buildings
The main camp on the route of the proposed Birmingham Northern relief road was unusual in that the tunnels were built under disused farm buildings. The buildings were in a state a ruin and hazardous to say the least. The tunnels themselves weren't the longest or most elaborate. They were though as said beneath buildings that looked like they could fall down all too easily. Thus it was hoped this would mean the bailiffs would have to take the buildings down brick by brick prior to evicting the tunnels which was estimated to take at least a month . Unfortunately it did not turn out quite like that. The buildings were more sturdy than previously thought with the bailiffs digging into the tunnels almost immediately. The two tunnels 'The Bucket Hotel and NO 69 lasted 7 and 15 days respectively before being evicted. In hindsight it would probably have been better to reinforce the tunnel then collapse the whole building. As they say though hindsight is the best general.
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