Did you know about Foot Tunel from Greenwich?
At the bottom of the Thames is a public footpath between the north and south banks of the river.
More than 4,000 people use this tunnel every day, which represents 1.5 million people every year.
Let me introduce you to this hidden place in detail.
Greenwich Foot Tunel: article summary
What is the Greenwich Foot Tunel??
When it opened in 1902, it was one of the city's most impressive technical achievements.
The engineers found themselves digging a perfectly straight 370-metre tunnel under the Thames, in accordance with Sir Alexander Binnie's designs.
Initially covered with 200,000 white tiles, the sections were replaced with reinforced steel and concrete after the tunnel was damaged by WWII bombing raids.
A treasure trove of engineering
As Chief Engineer to London City Council, Sir Alexander Binnie was a connoisseur of tunnels.
In fact, he also designed the first Blackwall Tunnel and the first Vauxhall Bridge, and worked with Sir Benjamin Baker to design important parts of London's drainage system.
It only takes about 5 minutes to cross the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. It's a a real experience to see up close the Victorian engineering that makes it so special.
How to enter the Greenwich Tunnel?
To reach the Greenwich Foot Tunnel on either side of the Thames, look for a red brick building topped by a green dome.
There are over 100 steps to reach the depths of the tunnel, or you can find an elevator on the side.
The visit is entirely free, so take your time to appreciate the hard work that went into building it.
Foot Tunel de Greenwich: a success story that's not unique
Following the success of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, the Woolwich Foot Tunnel was added further up the river in 1912. This tunnel was designed by the brilliantly named Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice.
These two tunnels were built by the equivalent of London County Council to support a workforce of around 15 people, although many people use them today and they have become something of a tourist attraction.
An exceptional construction
To dig the Greenwich Foot Tunnel (and the Woolwich Tunnel for that matter), the builders used a tunnel shield, which looks like a huge truck. through an underground bunker.
Interestingly, the tunnel was excavated by hand. Workers dug relentlessly, day and night, working long days to complete the tunnel.
It's thought that they managed to excavate around 3 meters every day until the bridge reached a length of around 370 meters and a depth of around 15 meters. This means it took just under six months to complete.
A design that adapts over time
Originally, the tunnel could only be reached by a spiral staircase, but fortunately elevators were added in 1904, allowing everyone to walk under the Thames à Greenwich.
Practical information for visiting the Greenwich Tunnel
If you have a bike, be sure to dismount when riding through the tunnels. Cycling in Greenwich's Foot Tunel is frowned upon.
The tunnel remains open every day without interruption. However, I recommend that you visit during the day. Then you can enjoy Greenwich which remains one of the places not to be missed on your trip to London.
Cleaning takes place on the first Tuesday of each month from 8 pm to 10 pm. The tunnel remains open during this period, but it may become a little slippery. Please take care.
The Greenwich Foot Tunel is a quick and easy way to cross the River Thames. If you want to get to Greenwich, it's a passage I'd recommend.
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