10 Spooky Construction Stories
*With Halloween upon us, we decided to find some spooky construction stories for our followers!
1. The Edinburgh Trams Project (Edinburgh)
The notorious delays and budget overruns plagued this project for years. Some locals believe the disruptions were caused by angry spirits disturbed during construction. Edinburgh is known for its haunted history, and the tram lines pass near some of the city’s most haunted areas.
Workers reported eerie feelings and strange happenings while digging near the infamous South Bridge Vaults, thought to be haunted by those who died during the plague.
2. Liverpool’s St. James Cemetery Development (Liverpool)
Once an old quarry and burial ground, attempts to develop this area into a park faced problems. Excavators allegedly uncovered old graves, leading to mysterious accidents and strange sounds, with workers feeling watched.
The cemetery is rumoured to be haunted by a “Black Angel,” a ghostly figure that appears at night, spooking workers and locals alike.
3. The Shard (London)
Although a modern marvel, the construction of the Shard was beset by numerous delays, logistical issues, and mysterious incidents. Some of the problems were blamed on building so close to the Tower of London, which is home to several ghost stories.
The nearby Tower of London is said to be haunted by the ghosts of Anne Boleyn and other tortured souls. Workers claimed to see shadowy figures at night, and some reported eerie, unexplained noises.
4. The Jubilee Line Extension (London)
While tunnelling under London, engineers ran into unexpected delays and setbacks, with some blaming cursed land. Some routes passed under old plague pits and haunted landmarks like Greenwich and Westminster Abbey, leading to rumours of disturbed spirits.
During construction, workers reported strange phenomena, including the sound of voices when no one was around, as well as sudden equipment failures in areas rumoured to be haunted.
5. The Scottish Parliament Building (Edinburgh)
This building famously ran way over budget and was delayed by years. Some people blamed ancient curses or spirits from Holyrood Palace, which is close by and is said to be haunted by Queen Mary of Scots’ ghost.
Workers reported seeing ghostly figures near the palace and feeling uneasy in the building at night. The parliament sits near historic land tied to brutal executions and royal hauntings.
6. Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) (London)
This massive railway project experienced significant delays and rising costs, with issues cropping up during tunnelling. The line runs beneath several old graveyards and haunted locations like Charterhouse Square and Bedlam.
Workers claimed to have heard unexplainable sounds in the tunnels, and some said they felt like they were being watched. Construction near Bedlam, London’s historic psychiatric hospital, stirred rumours of vengeful spirits from its dark past.
7. London’s Canary Wharf Development (London)
As one of London’s largest construction projects in the 1980s and 1990s, Canary Wharf faced numerous financial and logistical setbacks. Many workers blamed the strange incidents on the spirits of sailors from nearby docks.
The docks were once a hub of maritime activity and have long been rumoured to be haunted by drowned sailors. Strange accidents and equipment malfunctions led to whispers of a ghostly influence.
8. Spinnaker Tower (Portsmouth)
Construction of this iconic tower was delayed and over budget. Some blame the site’s eerie history, as Portsmouth has a rich maritime past and is associated with shipwrecks and naval disasters.
Halloween Twist: Workers reported hearing footsteps and seeing shadowy figures during construction, possibly spirits of lost sailors from the many tragic shipwrecks along the coast.
9. Glasgow Necropolis Construction Issues (Glasgow)
While the Necropolis itself wasn’t developed in modern times, nearby developments and roadworks ran into strange delays. The Necropolis is an ancient graveyard with a dark history, and construction near it often stirred up ghostly tales.
Workers reported seeing strange lights in the Necropolis at night, and some claimed to hear whispers or feel cold spots while working nearby.
10. The Birmingham New Street Station Redevelopment*(Birmingham)
The £600 million redevelopment faced numerous technical issues and strange occurrences. As one of the busiest stations in the UK, its dark, cavernous tunnels have been rumoured to be haunted.
The station sits on land once home to a Victorian slum, and workers have reported seeing shadowy figures in the train tunnels late at night. Some claimed they could hear crying or moaning, believed to be the ghosts of former residents.
