WATERLOO STATION
London Waterloo station, is situated in the Borough of Lambeth, and is the UKs busiest station. Waterloo first opened in July 1884, with its main line being extended from Nine Elms.
The station on its opening was named, Waterloo Bridge Station, because of its proximity to the bridge over the Thames. It was two years later in 1886 that, the name was changed, and officially became Waterloo Station.
In its early years, the station was considered by many as a ramshackle station. Passengers complained often of the lay out of the station, and its concourse.
One of the major complaints was that, of the two stations, Waterloo and Waterloo East being so close, and leading to confusion for the passengers. It was between the years 1900 and 1922, that the station finally received some new construction, and planning.
The new layout, when finally completed, gave the station a total of 21, platforms and a concourse 800 feet long. Waterloos main entrance, Victory Arch, serves as a memorial, to train staff who fell during the Great War. In the Second World War a night of heavy bombing, lead to the station and Victory Arch being severely damaged.
Waterloo was targeted several times during the war, and was badly damaged on later occasions. After a period of rebuilding, the station was back to its former self, and continued to grow and prosper. In the 1990s British Rail was privatised, and the management of Waterloo would pass into the hands of Rail track. They after several years of management passed it over to todays, owners, Network rail.
In 1994 platforms 20 and 21 were handed over to Eurostar, who would operate the Eurostar express service to Paris. The plan was to use Waterloo for a period of time, as work went ahead at, Kings Cross St Pancras.
The Eurostar service proved a great success and ran from Waterloo for almost thirteen years. The terminus was finally closed on the 13th November. The platforms can be re used in the future, but substantial work will be required, to make them serviceable for domestic use.
London Underground operates directly below Waterloo Station. The underground station is the second busiest in London, and serves the Bakerloo Line, Northern Line, Jubilee Line and Waterloo & City Line. If you should be meeting a friend or loved one, a large four faced clock hangs in the middle of the station.
This spot has now become a major meeting point for Londoners and alike. If you`re a fan of the TV programme Only fools and Horses, you will remember, that Del Boy meet his beloved Raquel under the same clock. If you arriving into London Waterloo and need a hotel. Many cheap hotels can be found near Waterloo Station, including the Days Waterloo.
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01904 644500