In April 2016 Archaeology South-East carried out a programme of historic building recording of the buildings and tramway tunnels adjacent to Craylands Lane and London Road, Little Swanscombe, Kent, DA10 0LP, prior to the proposed redevelopment of the site for residential use.

From the report:

"The site was established as a quarry in the early 20th century, forming part of the Swanscombe Works. The Swanscombe Works was one of the largest cement producers throughout the 20th century, and at its closure in 1990 was the oldest cement producer in the world."

"The Eastern Tunnel is presently redundant of use, except for the housing of several overhead live service pipes which extend below Craylands Lane. The structure appears to have been subject to only minor alterations since its intended use as a service tunnel, in stark contrast to the treatment of the Tunnel 1."

The western entrance is set within the chalk cliff face supporting Craylands Lane above. The west elevation comprises a yellow brick construction with interspersed overfired bricks of a mottled grey appearance. The brickwork is laid in English bond within a lime plaster with large gravel
inclusions. The arch forming the opening of the tunnel is formed of three tiers of headers laid on edge. The brickwork extends to a height of 4.56m above the lowest ground level measurement at this end of the site, and is finished with a soldier course above the wall is stepped back into the face of the cliff by c.0.25m and extends upwards to an overall standing height of 8.18m. Located centrally above the apex of the tunnel arch is a carved plaque dated ‘A.D. 1908’ (1)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2016, LAND AT CRAYLANDS LANE/LONDON ROAD, LITTLE SWANSCOMBE, KENT. HISTORIC BUILDINGS RECORD, (HISTORIC ENGLAND LEVEL 3) (Unpublished document). SKE31665.

<2> Archaeology South-East, January 2005, An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment and Walkover Survey of Land adjacent to London Road and Craylands Lane (Little Swanscombe), Swanscombe, Kent (March 2005) (Unpublished document). SKE31035.