Kingsway Underpass

The Kingsway Underpass is a cut and cover tunnel in London that was built for trams, and runs from Southampton Row in Holborn, passes under the whole length of Kingsway, and emerges under Waterloo Bridge. There was an intermediate station at Aldwych. The link from Holborn to Aldwych opened in 1906, and the extension to Waterloo Bridge opened in 1908. The floor of the tunnel was lowered in 1930 and 1931 to accommodate double decker trams. The last tram used the tunnel in 1952. In 1964 most of the tunnel was converted to the Strand Underpass, for use by road traffic. The Aldwych station was demolished but the disused Holborn station remains underground.

The remaining northern part of the tunnel has sometimes been used in films, for example the secret entrance to the base in the film version of The Avengers.

Part of the tunnel was used as a flood control headquarters for the Greater London Council until the opening of the Thames Barrier in 1984.

Not to be confused with the Kingsway Tunnel in Liverpool.