People of Bristol, what are these?

[i_hate_beckham]

Only noticed them since moving to St Paul's and am confused, it's been doing my head in. I would Google it but don't know what to type in.

 

[ska invita]

mini stink pipes?

 

[Geri]

Never seen one and I walk/cycle through St Pauls quite often. Where is it?

 

[Enviro]

I've recently become a person of Bristol but don't know the answer.

My first thought was air quality monitor. If that was the case you'd probably see some tubes or a little funnel or something inside it.

 

[Pickman's model]

it's a tardis gone wrong

 

[DaveCinzano]

Never seen one and I walk/cycle through St Pauls quite often. Where is it?

They're all over the place, not just in St. Paul's!

 

[2hats]

My first thought was air quality monitor. If that was the case you'd probably see some tubes or a little funnel or something inside it.

Those are typically larger units. Eg:

 

[DaveCinzano]

Only noticed them since moving to St Paul's and am confused, it's been doing my head in. I would Google it but don't know what to type in.

I always thought they were ventilation shafts or similar for people working underground - there are innumerable tunnels, sewers and whatnot under the city - the river Frome running under the Centre, past Bridewell then all the way to the M32 in Eastville.

 

[strung out]

Underground electricity substations

 

[butchersapron]

Luxury student flats.

That's normally the answer in bristol.

 

[Casual Observer]

Worst lava lamp I've ever seen.

 

[ska invita]

Those are typically larger units. Eg:

i think thats an air quality testing thing?

 

[Orang Utan]

i think they might be banksy detectors

 

[2hats]

i think thats an air quality testing thing?

Yes, hence the quoted post in the reply.

 

[ska invita]

Yes, hence the quoted post in the reply.

ah right. im not well today, dont mind me

 

[Geri]

They're all over the place, not just in St. Paul's!

I've never seen one in my 30 years of living here.

 

[i_hate_beckham]

Here is another example in Portland Square, only this one is kicking out warm air.

 

[hermitical]

from a caving forum:

"A lot of them are vents to underground substations. The air coming out is rather warm, heated up by the transformers beneath the pavement. There is a good example at the bottom of Cranbrook Rd, another at the Gloucester Rd end of Sommerville Rd.

However, Graham is quite correct about the drainiage system. The Northern Storm Water Interceptor runs from Eastville, under Montpellier, under The Arches, under Clifton and flows out into the Avon Gorge at Black Rocks. This too has vents along it's length. If you look on the grass verge opposite Bristol Zoo, there is a strange little concrete and wooden construction. This is for access to said tunnel."
What's lurking under Bristol? - Caving Chat - ukCaving.com

 

[i_hate_beckham]

Thank you. It had been driving us mad.

 

[ska invita]

paging Sea Star

 

[wiskey]

There are reddit posts about those vents. Popular answer was they provided air to the secret sunken city under Bristol immic.

 

[Opera Buffa]

You get yellow ones in Henleaze. No idea what they do.

 

[xenon]

Can't see the pics but if these are the bin sized things. There's one near me. It stinks of underground hot dusty air. Just a vent. There's loads of holes under Bristol.