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.
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Both the original opening in 1979 and the opening
of the extension in 1999 were eagerly anticipated.
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Pre-opening warning sign for staff.
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The Charing X spur is being retained for operational
purposes at present, though not for passenger services.
(Nov 1999)
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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.
(Nov 1999)
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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.
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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 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.
(Jan 2008)
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Facing the opposite way: a wall has been built across the former
passenger access, separating the Jubilee Line platforms from
the rest of the still-in-use station.
(Jan 2008)
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