Fox's Wood Tunnel West Portal (MLN111622)

MATERIALS: squared and coursed Pennant stone with dressings of Pennant ashlar for the voussoirs and capping stones.

DESCRIPTION: asymmetric composition. Semi-circular arch with stilted voussoirs and a stepped section including chamfer, flanked by towers of differing height and plan. North (Up side) tower circular but rising from spurred square base, the upper part of the tower stepped out to form a parapet with crenellations, finished with moulded capping stones. Attached to the tower, a curved retaining wall which steps down. The parapet of the north tower continues without crenellations over the central arch. C20 century railings. South (Down side) tower rectangular in plan and slightly taller, but otherwise similarly treated. It abuts to the south a cliff of rock outcrops reinforced with massive buttresses.

The Portal is at the eastern end of a short stretch of line running on a shelf between a steep hillside and the River Avon, which was diverted by Brunel.