Jubilee Line
 

CHARING CROSS

(1979-1999)

 

A Charing Cross station explanation poster dating from the late 1970s.

This line, essentially a Bakerloo relief line, took over the Bakerloo line from Stanmore to Baker Street and continued in new tunnels south of Baker Street ending at a (temporary) terminus at Charing Cross, with a view to subsequently extending further eastwards.

The eventual extension was different from that originally planned and the new line branched off the existing one south of Green Park station in the Westminster direction. In doing so, it isolated the short section to Charing Cross station, which was closed at the same time as the new extension opened.


 

 

Land that was reserved for the extension on its original route, near Ludgate Circus.

It cost £50,000 (1977 prices) to change the name of the line from the Fleet line to the Jubilee line.

 

 

 

Both the original opening in 1979 and the opening of the extension in 1999 were eagerly anticipated.

 

 

 

 

Pre-opening warning sign for staff.

 

 

 

 

The circulating area for the Jubilee Line platforms. The Charing Cross spur is being retained for operational purposes at present, though not for passenger services.

(Photo: 1999)

 

 

 

 

The southernmost of the two platforms.
The original route of the extension was supposed to be from Charing Cross to Aldwych, Ludgate Circus, Cannon St, and eventually through to new tunnels replacing the existing East London line. An experimental tunnel was built at New Cross in 1972/3 to test the then new Bentonite Shield - the tunnel would later have become part of the extension. Presumably the tunnel is still there and one cannot help wonder if it's being used for anything.

During the reconstruction of Cannon St in 1968-70, provision was made to allow access to the future Fleet Line.

(Photo: 1999)

 

 

 

 

These photos of the platforms were taken on 19th Nov 1999 - the last day of service.

The overrun tunnels at Charing Cross continued through to Aldwych, nearly reaching the (now disused) Piccadilly Line station there. So it is not just the Piccadilly line which has abandoned tunnels at Aldwych. A possible plan is for the tunnels to be utilised by a future westward extension of the Docklands Light Railway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One set of the escalators at Charing Cross leading down to the Jubilee Line. These escalators were due to be replaced a year before the closure of the Jubilee Line platforms, however, knowing that the station was due for closure, dispensation was granted to keep them open for the last year of service.

The escalators, seen here in 2008 (nine years after closure), look in good order viewed from above (and are kept that way for the benefit of the many film crews who use the station). The workings underneath are entirely different: the steps have been permanently secured and parts have been cannibalised for the repair of other escalators.

 

 

 


Facing the opposite way: a wall has been built across the former passenger access, separating the Jubilee Line platforms from the rest of the station, which remains in use.

(Photo: 2008)

 

 

continues on next page...

 

 

(Photos taken between 1977 and 1981, except where stated)

 

 

Charing Cross pt.2