A decades-old tradition that drivers from Merseyside and beyond possibly mistook for a noisy tunnel is in fact something else entirely.
Most holidaymakers from the region heading to the North Wales coastline will travel down the A55 - North Wales' busiest road. Originally to link Chester and Bangor alongside the railway work to upgrade the road started in the 1930s, the expressway now carries an increasing volume of traffic each year.
But decades ago, two workers reportedly lost their lives in the process. But their memory has always endured, North Wales Live reports.
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Not a lot is known of this history, but what we do know is that workers involved in the project were brought in from elsewhere in North Wales and many were coal miners forced out of a job by the Great Depression. One man was reportedly told "help dig the Penmanbach tunnel or lose your dole'"
Decades on, many from Merseyside and beyond have passed on the tradition to 'beep-beep' while you pass through, in memory of the two workers that tragically lost their lives, one beep for each soul. The tradition was recently brought back under the spotlight when Kara E Prior posted in the public A55 Traffic, Incidents, Information Facebook group: "Some of you may recognise this tunnel on the North Wales coast between Penmaenmawr and Conwy.
It is the “beep beep” tunnel! As locals, this tunnel means a lot but for those of you wonderful travellers that may not know, there is a reason we beep twice (hence the name). When the tunnel was being constructed, we sadly lost 2 men to the build. Out of a mark of respect to them, the tunnel received 2 beeps from travellers as they passed through. This still continues today."
The post was shared well over a thousand times and liked by more than two thousand users. Jennie Murphy replied: "We did it in 60's as there was always an echo reply loved it"
Do you remember and take part in this tribute? Let us know in the comments
Whilst Joan Jones remembered: "As a child I can recall our trips to Anglesey and my father always beep beep the horn as we went through the tunnel. This was always the highlight of our days out when several cars joined in with the beep beep! Glorious childhood memories".
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Some people who had always heard the beeps but had never known why were astonished to hear the deeper meaning. Ruthie Marsh Kershaw said: "Wow I never knew this..... my dad used to beep everytime we went through when I was little then it stopped as I got older. Never knew the reason why people beep..".
Julie James said: "Never knew this! How sad...will definitely be beeping now! X.".
Back in January it was revealed that the 658-metre long Penmaenbach Tunnel was also named the best road tunnel in the UK for motorists to enjoy the sound of their cars, according to Alfa Romeo. It topped their rankings, after being judged to provide the best acoustic environment to fully appreciate a car’s engine and exhaust sounds - a fitting shrine.
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