More than 100 years ago, a solution was found for plugging the gap created by the River Thames at Woolwich in London. Not a bridge, but a tunnel going beneath the water for the use of foot passengers. It’s still very much in use and important to local people, not to mention a draw to photographers from further afield. The stretch and curve of the eerily lit tunnel is an irresistible capture, but there are other details too…
London is a city of bridges, connecting its two sides which are dissected by the River Thames.
But this is an exception to the rule. Some Edwardian engineers saw fit to construct a tunnel beneath the river. To this day, it carries pedestrians from Greenwich in the south to the Isle of Dogs on the north bank and is open 24/7. You can take the original staircase or a lift to reach the tunnel.
The brightly lit, white tiled tube is a photographer’s dream for capturing perspective, distance, shape and lines. It’s just busy enough to capture both figures and eerie emptiness. The only hazard is cyclists using it as a race track, despite signs prohibiting this.
Well worth the long trip from west London, where there is no underwater thoroughfare.
Elephant and Castle in London is notorious with city dwellers for its rundown shopping centre and existence as a major road artery just south of the River Thames.
Beneath the busy traffic system lies a network of subways, allowing pedestrians to safely negotiate their way from one side of Elephant to another.
It’s adorned with cheerful, vibrant murals – official art unlike the Leake Street graffiti tunnel – but is a confusing maze to negotiate. I spent my first week in London staying locally, and often went round in circles. At night-time, it can feel a little intimidating.
For this shoot I wanted to get lost to cover every corner of the system and pass as many fellow pedestrians as possible. On my way out, I followed the signs to the Tube station – now that seemed like the longest walk…
Click first image to launch the gallery
