Following the mass closures of the coal mines it was proposed to employ some of the men on several projects around the UK on tunnelling projects. These projects were to drive tunnels under congested cities for both public transport systems and motor cars in congested cities.

Objectives were to build a series of underground roadways from the outskirts of towns and have the tunnels emerge in or near the city centre so commuters could commute to work to reduce the burden on normal streets and reduce congestion. Roadways would be less than 3 miles long due to ventilation issues, be of an oval construction to reduce cutting, and be two lane one way systems to prevent or reduce accidents.

Businesses such as major stores would have direct access to these tunnels so their stock could be taken straight into their basements for unloading instead of having lorries on the streets.

Information I have is very scant and if anyone has any additional information on these proposals I would welcome it

It sounds like some nutty pie in the sky project dreamed up by someone in Westminster with no grasp of reality.

It sounds like some nutty pie in the sky project dreamed up by someone in Westminster with no grasp of reality.

Sounds more like an old idea Westminster would mishandle. 😉

A much better idea was the Chicago Tunnel Railways, a narrow gauge (600mm) electric network which carried freight and also delivered coal and removed ash from boilers. Sadly now all disused.

The Channel Tunnel had many ex Miner`s on the payroll,but not what is being proposed above,
Imagine the Colliery workings already under some towns and cities,kind of rules them out for a start.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-25145632 

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A much better idea was the Chicago Tunnel Railways, a narrow gauge (600mm) electric network which carried freight and also delivered coal and removed ash from boilers. Sadly now all disused.

Sounds like the basis for these old proposals.

Something sort of similar is being considered in Cambridge at the moment.

http://www.cambridgefutures.org/futures2/report4.htm 

Having worked on the Cambridge Sewer Renewal Tunnel in the early 90s, I very greatly doubt the technical feasibility of this, or anything like it.

And that's before you start crossing swords with the "heritage and historic building" people.

As for employing former coal miners, most of them are nearing retirement. That was obvious at Combe Down. Anyway, tunnel construction is a related but separate discipline and coal miners need considerable retraining to make the switch.

Something sort of similar is being considered in Cambridge at the moment.

My father-in-law worked on a feasibility study for this in the 1950s when he worked in the Cambridge City Architect's Department. He said it was hopelessly expensive back then, but that a lengthy study was a recognised way of kicking it into the long grass.