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Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London
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Greenwich foot tunnel
Victorian tunnel under the River Thames
(Photos ©urban75, Aug 2010)


Linking Greenwich in the south with the Isle of Dogs to the north, the Greenwich foot tunnel has been serving subterranean foot passengers since 4 August 1902.

Designed by civil engineer Sir Alexander Binnie for London County Council and constructed by contractor John Cochrane & Co, the 70.2 m (1,217 ft) long tunnel is reached via entrance shafts at both ends.

These take the shape of circular, brick built buildings capped with a glazed dome, with stairs and lifts providing access to the tunnel below.

The cast-iron tunnel - lined with some 200,000 white glazed tiles - lies 15.2 metres (50 ft) below the river and has an internal diameter of around 9 feet (2.7 m). The tunnel's diameter narrows considerably at the northern end with a thick steel and concrete inner lining patching up World War 2 damage.

The tunnel was built to provide access for workers living on the south side of the Thames to reach the London docks and shipyards situated around the Isle of Dogs, and replaced an earlier unreliable ferry service.

When I visited, restoration work was taking place - this is expected to be completed by March 2011.

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Classed as a public highway, the tunnel has to be kept open 24 hours a day by law, although the attendant-operated lift service is only open from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and Saturdays, 10am-5.30pm on Sundays. There's no service on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

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Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Looking across the river to Canary Wharf. The northern domed entrance can be seen to the right.

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Walking down the stairs on the southern entrance.

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Looking up the lift shaft. The lifts were installed in 1904 and upgraded in 1992.

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Inside the tunnel, heading north.

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Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

The tunnel is part of the UK's National Cycle Route 1 linking Inverness and Dover, although cyclists are required to dismount and push their bikes through the tunnel itself.

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Near the 'bottom' of the tunnel.

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Heading north.

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

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Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Some of the 200,00 tiles!

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Approaching the northern exit, showing the reduced diameter of the tunnel.

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Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Northern exit, with open lift doors in the distance.

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Looking back towards the southern end.

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

Old sign.

Greenwich foot tunnel, photos of the pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in East London, linking Greenwich  and the Isle of Dogs, London

No spitting!

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