Secret tunnel once used by princess to be restored

Victoria Hall was built to house the Saltaire Schools of Art and Science

A hidden tunnel in Bradford thought to have been used by royalty in the 19th Century is to be repaired after years of decay.

The route beneath Exhibition Road in Saltaire was built to link Victoria Hall with the Exhibition Building, with Princess Beatrice, youngest daughter of Queen Victoria, thought to have walked through it in 1887.

The Salt Foundation Trust recently submitted a planning application to Bradford Council seeking permission to repair the tunnel, which it said had suffered corrosion over the years.

The application said: "The existence of the tunnel is not widely known – it is not visible from the street.

"The only evidence of its existence are three concrete slabs set amongst the stone flags of the footpaths at each end."

The application shared concerns for the "structural integrity" of the tunnel if work was not carried out.

It was "desirable to retain the tunnel as a usable link because of its historical significance", it added.

The tunnel links Victoria Hall to the Exhibition Building in Saltaire

Listed building consent for the remedial works was approved by planning officers, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The application stated Victoria Hall was built in 1867-71 as the Saltaire Institute to house the Saltaire Schools of Art and Science.

By the mid-1880s more space was needed for the expanding schools and a new building was constructed nearby.

"The plan was to fund the cost of this building retrospectively by putting on a grand exhibition housed within the new building itself - this was the Royal Yorkshire Jubilee Exhibition of 1887," it said.

"Princess Beatrice was invited to open the great event."

It added: "The tunnel was constructed at this time, apparently to facilitate the movements of exhibition visitors, not least royal guests."

The applicant said the tunnel was no longer in use owing to concerns about its structural integrity.

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