During World War II, the British government built a system of underground tunnels for refugees for thousands of British people from Nazi bombs in a blitz campaign.
Very few people know of the existence of a tunnel under Clapham Common Park.
Although every day there are hundreds of people walking through the tunnel under this Clapham Common park in south London, only a few people know of its existence.
The London Department of Transport and the London Transport Museum have officially opened this complex of 1300 underground tunnels for people to visit.
The shelter is designed for people who have no place to flee, 8,000 people can take turns down to the cellar within 1 hour. Initially, the shelter was originally planned to accommodate 12,000 people, but because of the narrow steps and many other factors, the capacity was reduced to 8,000 by authorities.
There are kitchens, 2 medical rooms and 8 toilets. Although sanitation was not so much focused during the war, there were people who came here to clean up every week. Most bedrooms in the cellar are arranged with 3-bed beds, the purpose is to allow thousands of people to quickly return to their seats in the shortest time. In addition, there are storage areas in the vault, people who have lost their homes can bring the remaining assets to place here.
The 1300 tunnel complex is 30m deep underground.
Started construction in 1940, at the beginning of the German bombing campaign, it took 8 months for people to complete this completely hand-excavated project. As noted, 11 workers were killed during construction.
By 1944, the new cellar was officially put into use, when Germany began firing V1 and V2 missiles across the English Channel with a frequency of 100-150 per day, killing 2700 people and injuring 6000 others. .
In 1948, it opened again to welcome immigrants from the Caribbean and then 3 years to welcome visitors to the British Festival, a national exhibition held in many cities in the UK in the summer of the year. 1951.
The tunnel was designed in the 1920s, is considered the first version of the Crossrail underground rail system , 40m deep underground, with an investment of up to 20 billion USD, expected to be completed in 2018.
Road signs in the tunnel.
There are kitchens, 2 medical rooms and 8 toilets.
Although sanitation was not so much focused during the war, there were people who came here to clean up every week.
Desk phone at that time.
Shelter is designed for those who have no place to escape, 8000 people can take turns going down to the cellar within 1 hour.
Initially, the bunker was planned to cover 12,000 people.
Small beds in the cellar.
Initially, the shelter was originally planned to accommodate 12,000 people, but because of the narrow steps and many other factors, the capacity was reduced to 8, 000 people by authorities.
Traces of people leaving.
The words were kept by soldiers, immigrants from the Caribbean and visitors to the British Festival on the wall.
