KINGSWAY TRAM TUNNEL

(1906-1952)

 

Opened in 1906 to allow trams through access from the northern and southern tram networks,
it ran from the junction of Theobalds Road and Southampton Row at its northern end, to
the Embankment (in 1908) at its southern end, with tram 'stations' at Holborn and Strand.

 

Looking south from the southbound platform.

(photo: 2009)

 

 

 

 

The exit at the southern end of Holborn station. The door visible at the top right of the photo belongs to a portacabin used by the GLC as its flood control centre (before the Thames Barrier was opened).

(photo: 2003)

 

 

 

View from below the street level grating of the stairs leading downward.

(photo: 2009)

 

 

 

 

Looking south from the southbound track.

(photo: 2003)

 

 

 

 

Looking in the opposite direction from the photo above.

(photo: 2003)

 

 

 

 

Looking north from south of Holborn station. The point where the tunnel divides for Holborn station is visible.

(photo: 2003)

 

 

 

 

The twin track tunnel south of Holborn station. Looking south.

(photo: 2003)

 

 

 

 

Approaching the Aldwych station site. The station itself was decimated for the Waterloo Bridge to Kingsway light traffic underpass that utilises part of the Kingsway subway.

The up ramp in Kingsway that takes traffic back to surface level has an inverse effect on the surviving tunnel remnant below it, i.e. the ceiling level becomes lower and lower the further one goes along it.

(photo: 2003)

 

 

 

 

The view from the surface, looking north.

(photo: 2005)

 

 

 

 

A little further south and the lower ceiling height. This view is looking north.

(photo: 2003)

 

 

 

 

On the outer sides of the vertical walls shown in the photo above are these full height but narrow portions of the tram tunnel (i.e. the road ramp is built within, and isolated from, the tram tunnel).

This is what little remains of Aldwych station; the tiling and advertising boards (the same as at Holborn station).

(photo: 2003)

 

 

 

 

Underneath Waterloo Bridge on the Embankment - the original entrance to the Aldwych/Kingsway tunnel. There is only a small section of it remaining.



(photo: 2003)

 

DLR: Pudding Mill Lane