Watch: Inside hidden underground reservoir beneath Nottingham’s streets

A hidden reservoir beneath the streets of Nottingham has been opened up for a rare tour.

Notts TV was granted access to Belle Vue reservoir, off Mapperley Road, after part of it was drained down for an inspection by Severn Trent water company.

The Victorian-built structure was first opened last week, and a small number of journalists and other guests were granted access on Friday.

Ciara Slater, who is in charge of Severn Trent’s reservoir netowrk, said: “This really was a rare treat for us – usually the service reservoirs are full of water ready to supply our customers but, because we’ve been waiting to plan in some repairs, the reservoir was empty.

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The network was first built in the 1850s and holds millions of litres of water.

“That meant we were able to get inside and just look at the fantastic job that the Victorians had done on building the reservoir.

“It’s just beautiful inside – they left us a wonderful legacy that we’re intent on building on for generations to come.

“What’s even more amazing is that I imagine that hardly anyone in Nottingham knows it’s here. They walk past it every day without every realising that they’re right next to a superb piece of Victorian engineering that’s been working for 150 years to help keep their water flowing. It really is a hidden gem.”

The complex network of tunnels still supplies water to Nottingham taps.

The complex actually has two reservoirs capable of holding 10.2 million litres of water. It is one of more than 400 similar sites the company owns and operates around the Midlands and into north and mid-Wales.

It was first built in the 1850s and 1860s as part of the system of pipes and storage tanks to help ensure Nottingham had a reliable supply of water.

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