[citation needed] It was built to take a toll road underneath a steep hill to the north of Beaminster and make it easier for horse-drawn traffic to travel from the coast to the hinterland of Dorset.

It underwent significant repairs in 1968 and again in 2009, but in 2012 a torrential rainstorm caused a landslide that resulted in the partial collapse of the tunnel's north entrance and the deaths of two people.

Russell played a key role in getting the project underway and managed to raise the £13,000 required through loans and contributions from many of Beaminster's artisans and traders.

[3] In March 1830 Parliament passed the Bridport Turnpike Trust (Second District) Act, 1830[1] authorising construction of the tunnel, which began the following month.

The engineer Michael Lane, a colleague of Marc Brunel who had worked on the pioneering Thames Tunnel in London, was in charge of the project, which took just over two years to complete.

[5] The tunnel was formally opened on 29 June 1832 with enthusiastic celebrations including a 21-gun salute fired from the top of the hill, a firework display and the launching of a hot air balloon.

[3] A song was especially written for the occasion, including the lyrics: The yielding soil, through able hands, A tunnel wide displays; And Lane’s efficient aid demands Our warm, admiring praise In swelling streams may cheering wealth To Beaminster descend: And ever joy-inspiring health Her social sons attend.

[6][7] At around 22:10 on 7 July 2012, Rosemary Snell and Michael Rolfe,[8] from Somerset,[8] were driving through the tunnel and were caught in a partial collapse of the north entrance, caused by torrential rain.