British city built on huge network of secret tunnels that nobody knew about as sinkholes appear on roads
Some have suggested that the sinkholes provide evidence for claims of secret tunnels
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Drivers are questioning why so many new sinkholes keep appearing on roads, with some pointing to a mysterious network of “haunted” tunnels.
Residents in Gloucester have been left baffled after a number of sinkholes appeared on a busy street following recent heavy rain and flooding.
Following the concerning amount of damage to the roads, some locals contacted a local paranormal research group.
There are beliefs that Gloucester is home to a network of tunnels running underneath the bustling streets, potentially dating back to “Roman times”.
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It has long been thought that up to 22 miles of underground tunnels run underneath the historic city.
Edd Francis, of the Gloucester Paranormal Investigation Services (GIPS), said the group was flooded with messages on Facebook.
He said: “Most of the enquiries were from local people asking if there could be a connection between the sinkhole and the secret tunnels believed to be beneath the city.”
The city has been battered with heavy rain and flooding in recent weeks as an aftershock of Storm Babet and Storm Ciaran.
Remnants of the past can be seen in Gloucester, including the Eastgate Viewing Chamber, which gives people a glimpse into the Roman era.
The underground chamber includes remains of defences dating back to the founding of the city in around 68 AD, which includes the base of a 13th century tower and a Tudor “horse pool”.
Paul Cowmeadow, a member of GIPS, added: “There are entrances to the tunnel network from the cellars of several pubs in the town centre and we’ve seen them.
“It’s believed that the tunnel system was used for several purposes over the centuries, ranging from smuggling, to the English Civil War, and then later in World War Two it is rumoured that the secret services and military also made use of them.”
Some drivers have been affected by the sinkholes, with one resident saying he saw a motorist damage his vehicle when travelling along the road.
The resident added: “Now just imagine if that was a motorbike, it doesn’t bear thinking about.”
James Koppert, a local paranormal historian and podcast host, suggested that the sinkholes could lead to interesting discoveries.
He referenced how a sinkhole appeared in Rome last year which revealed the remains of a temple dating back to 27BC.
The sinkhole, which was near the Pantheon, also pointed to information about the city’s past and history.
Koppert added: “So sinkholes in historic places really can uncover ancient mysteries and lost treasures, and with Gloucester’s history literally going back thousands of years, I wouldn’t be too surprised if a sinkhole in the city did expose hidden underground structures.”
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Drivers in Gloucester have dealt with sinkhole issues in the past
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Gloucestershire’s highways team said the roads affected would be closed for repairs.
The road management team is continually updating its X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook accounts to alert drivers of any road closures.