Victoria tube station

Victoria railway station first opened in 1860, as part of efforts to provide a more convenient railway termini for railways south of London.{{Cite book |last=Jackson |first=Alan |title=London's Termini |publisher=David & Charles |year=1984 |isbn=0-330-02747-6 |edition=New Revised |location=London |pages=267–268}} It is located in Victoria in the City of Westminster, south of Victoria Street, east of Buckingham Palace Road and west of Vauxhall Bridge Road.{{cite web |title=London Victoria station |url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4949078,-0.1440788,17z |access-date=2 August 2017 |publisher=Google Maps}} The railway station is named after the nearby Victoria Street.{{Cite web |title=The history of London Victoria station |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/our-history/iconic-infrastructure/the-history-of-london-victoria-station/ |access-date=24 January 2019 |website=Network Rail}}

File:Victoria tube station Circle and District lines platform.jpg

The first part of the Underground station was opened on 24 December 1868 by the District Railway (DR, now the District line) when the company opened the first section of its line, between {{stl|London Underground|South Kensington}} and {{stl|London Underground|Westminster}}.{{sfn|Demuth|2004|p=4}} The DR connected to the Metropolitan Railway (MR, later the Metropolitan line) at South Kensington and, although the two companies were rivals, each company operated trains over the other's tracks in a joint service known as the "Inner Circle". The line was operated by steam locomotives, creating the necessity to leave periodic gaps open to the air.{{sfn|Glover|2003|p=11}}

On 1 February 1872, the DR opened a northward branch from {{stl|London Underground|Earl's Court}} to the West London Extension Joint Railway (WLEJR, now the West London Line) at Addison Road (now Kensington (Olympia)).{{sfn|Demuth|2004|pp=6–7}} From that date the "Outer Circle" service began running over the DR.{{sfn|Glover|2003|p=15}} The service was run by the North London Railway (NLR) from Broad Street (now demolished) in the City of London via the North London Line to {{stl|London Underground|Willesden Junction}}, then the West London Line to Addison Road and the DR to {{stl|London Underground|Mansion House}}, the new eastern terminus of the DR.{{sfn|Day|1979|p=22}}

From 1 August 1872, the "Middle Circle" service also began operation through Victoria, from Moorgate along the MR on the north side of the Inner Circle to Paddington, then over the Hammersmith & City Railway (H&CR) to Latimer Road and then to Mansion House.{{sfn|Demuth|2004|p=6}} On 30 June 1900, the Middle Circle service was withdrawn between Earl's Court and Mansion House,{{sfn|Jackson|1986|p=333}} with the Outer Circle service following on 31 December 1908.{{sfn|Course|1962|p=181}}

The original DR station was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century, initially as a single-storey structure to the design of architect George Campbell Sherrin.{{cite web|url=https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/collections/collections-online/photographs/item/1998-58196|title=B/W print; exterior of Victoria Underground station, 1916|website=London Transport Museum|access-date=4 July 2024}} An office building was built above it later. The line was electrified in 1905.{{sfn|Day|Reed|2010|p=63}} In 1949, the Inner Circle route was given its own identity on the tube map as the Circle line.{{sfn|Rose|1999}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/only-in-britain/circle-line-tube-begins-operations/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/only-in-britain/circle-line-tube-begins-operations/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=How old is the Circle line? |work=The Daily Telegraph |location= London |date=6 October 2016 |access-date=19 August 2017}}{{cbignore}}

Plans for the route that eventually became the Victoria line date from the 1940s. A proposal for a new underground railway line linking north-east London with the centre was included in the County of London Plan in 1943.{{sfn|Day|Reed|2010|p=143}} Between 1946 and 1954, a series of routes were proposed by different transport authorities to connect various places in south and north or north-east London. Each of these connected the three main-line termini at King's Cross, Euston and Victoria.{{efn|In 1946, the Railway (London Plan) Committee published a report including "Route 8 – South to North link from East Croydon to Finsbury Park", a main-line service running between Norbury and Hornsey in tunnel via Streatham Hill, Brixton, Vauxhall, Victoria, Bond Street, Euston, King's Cross and Finsbury Park.{{harvnb|Railway (London Plan) Committee|1946}} In 1947, the London Passenger Transport Board produced a plan for a similar route for a tube line running into north-east London. This would run between Coulsdon North or Sanderstead and Walthamstow (Hoe Street) or Waltham Cross.{{cite web |url=http://www.davros.org/rail/culg/victoria.html#history |title=Victoria Line – History |work=Clive's Underground Line Guides |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=6 April 2015}} These plans were reviewed by the British Transport Commission in 1949 and a feasibility study was recommended. This became a combined route, "Route C" running between Walthamstow and Victoria.{{sfn|Day|Reed|2010|p=148}}}} A route was approved in 1955 with future extensions to be decided later,{{sfn|Day|Reed|2010|p=153}} though funding for the construction was not approved by the government until 1962.{{sfn|Day|Reed|2010|p=160}}

As part of the construction of the Victoria line, a new ticket hall was constructed just outside the main railway building. From the ticket hall, a set of escalators led down to the new Victoria line. The Victoria line station opened on 7 March 1969, when the third phase of the line began operating, south of {{stl|London Underground|Warren Street}}.{{sfn|Demuth|2004|p=24}} Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the line on this date, unveiling a plaque in the station concourse.{{Cite web |last=Judge |first=Ben |date=2016-03-07 |title=7 March 1969: Queen Elizabeth II officially opens the Victoria Line |url=https://moneyweek.com/429195/7-march-1969-queen-elizabeth-ii-officially-opens-the-victoria-line |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=moneyweekuk |language=en}} Victoria was the terminus while the final phase was under construction to {{stl|London Underground|Brixton}}. This opened on 23 July 1971.{{sfn|Demuth|2004|p=26}}

There are two sidings to the south of the Victoria line platforms plus another crossover to the north to enable trains to terminate and turn back north.{{Cite web |title=Detailled London transport map (track, depot, ...) |url=https://cartometro.com/cartes/metro-tram-london/ |access-date=3 June 2023 |website=cartometro.com}}

Following growth in passenger numbers in the 2000s, Victoria Underground station became one of the busiest on the Underground, with around 80 million passengers a year.{{Cite web|date=16 October 2015|title=Rail and Underground Panel - Victoria Station Upgrade|url=https://content.tfl.gov.uk/rup-20151016-part-1-item07-victoria-station-upgrade.pdf|access-date=23 July 2021|website=Transport for London}} At rush hour, more than 30,000 passengers entered the station between 8 and 9am, and entrances to the station were frequently closed due to dangerous levels of overcrowding at platform level.

TfL subsequently upgraded and expanded the station at a cost of £700m between 2011 and 2018 to alleviate overcrowding and to provide step-free access.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10279962 |title=Victoria station revamp to begin |date=10 June 2010 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 January 2018}} The work included expansion of the existing south "Victoria line" ticket hall, an additional entrance and ticket hall under Bressenden Place, new and replaced escalators, renovation and expansion work throughout the existing station, and step-free access. Overall, the work expanded the station by 110%, with 9 new escalators and 7 new lifts.

Although contributors to the public inquiry into the upgrade criticised that access to platforms was long and/or indirect compared to the direct access using the existing escalators,{{cite web|title=Submissions by the Victoria Interchange Group to the Victoria Station Upgrade Public Enquiry|url=http://www.persona.uk.com/victoria/objector_docs.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107095355/http://www.persona.uk.com/victoria/objector_docs.htm|archive-date=7 January 2011|publisher=Persona}} the work was permitted in July 2009.{{Cite web|date=23 July 2009|title=Transport and Works Act 1992 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Applications for the Proposed London Underground (Victoria station upgrade) Order and for deemed Planning Permission|url=http://www.persona.uk.com/victoria/Gen_docs/Decision%20Letter%20Final.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015151041/http://www.persona.uk.com/victoria/Gen_docs/Decision%20Letter%20Final.pdf|archive-date=15 October 2010|access-date=23 July 2021|website=Persona Associates|publisher=Department for Transport}} Construction began in 2011, and tunnelling for the project was completed in 2015 after complex work; tunnelling took place 60 cm from the existing District and Circle line tunnels.{{cite news |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/major-milestone-as-victoria-station-tunnelling-work-finishes |title='Major milestone' as Victoria station tunnelling work finishes |date=14 September 2015 |work=Rail Technology Magazine|access-date=23 April 2020}}

The first phase of the project opened in January 2017, with a new entrance leading to a North Ticket Hall underneath Bressenden Place, linked to the Victoria line by new escalators and lifts.{{Cite press release |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2017/january/new-ticket-hall-and-entrance-open-at-victoria-station |title=New ticket hall and entrance open at Victoria Station |publisher=Transport for London |date=17 January 2017 |access-date=18 January 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/victoria-station-upgrade-new-tube-entrance-opens-as-part-of-700m-project-a3442731.html |title=New entrance to Victoria Tube station opens as part of £700m upgrade |work=London Evening Standard |date=17 January 2017 |first=Saphora |last=Smith |access-date=18 January 2018}} The work was undertaken by a joint venture of BAM Nuttall and Taylor Woodrow Construction.{{cite news|url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/the-gallery-victoria-station-ticket-hall-opens-17-01-2017/|title=Victoria Station ticket hall opens|date=17 January 2017|newspaper=New Civil Engineer| access-date=14 January 2021}} In January 2018, the second phase of the project opened, with a new entrance at Wilton Road in front of the mainline station and the expanded Victoria line ticket hall. The main project was completed in October 2018, when step free access between all lines was completed, making Victoria the 75th tube station to have this.{{Cite press release |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2018/october/victoria-tube-station-becomes-75th-to-be-made-step-free |title=Victoria Tube station becomes 75th to be made step-free |date=22 October 2018 |publisher=Transport for London }} Work to reinstate the bus station and the historic Duke of York public house continued until 2019.{{Cite web|title=Duke of York Public House - Leisure Scheme by Engineering Consultancy FHP|url=https://fhpp.com/portfolio/duke-of-york-public-house|access-date=23 July 2021|website=FHP|language=en}}

File:Labyrinth ^103, Victoria - geograph.org.uk - 7169137.jpg artwork on the station concourse]]The station features several pieces of artwork. On the station concourse, there is a Labyrinth designed by Mark Wallinger, as part of the celebrations of 150 years of London Underground. As with all Victoria line stations, a tiled mural is located in the seat niches on the platforms – at Victoria, a silhouette of Queen Victoria was designed by Edward Bawden.{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Daniel |date=2016-04-27 |title=The Many Murals of the Victoria Line (London, UK) |url=https://thebeautyoftransport.com/2016/04/27/station-tile-designs-victoria-line-london-uk/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=The Beauty of Transport |language=en}}

Victoria is a proposed stop on Crossrail 2, the route of which has been safeguarded since 1991.{{cite web|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/consulchelhackney/pdfproposedChelHackroute2|title=Proposed Route of the Chelsea – Hackney Line|publisher=Department for Transport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810182533/http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/consulchelhackney/pdfproposedChelHackroute2 |archive-date=10 August 2007 }} The project would involve the construction of two new {{convert|250|m|ft|adj=on}} long platforms, and new entrances onto Ebury Street and the mainline station. The District and Circle line ticket hall would be expanded and include a direct connection to the new Crossrail station. Crossrail 2 trains would also be able to reverse at Victoria. The service proposes to run 30 additional trains per hour through the station, which is expected to reduce crowding in Victoria by 25%.{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/s9.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 factsheet: Victoria station |publisher=Transport for London |date=October 2015 |access-date=20 August 2017 |archive-date=4 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404122036/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/s9.pdf |url-status=dead }}

The Docklands Light Railway has also been proposed to be linked with Victoria.{{cite web |publisher=Crossrail |title=Safeguarding Crossrail 2 for the future |url=http://www.crossrail.co.uk/route/safeguarding/chelsea-hackney-line |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319120801/http://www.crossrail.co.uk/route/safeguarding/chelsea-hackney-line |archive-date=19 March 2015 }} This would be a continuation of the line from {{stl|London Underground|Bank}} via {{Stnlnk|City Thameslink}}, with another branch to {{Stnlnk|Euston}}.{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515180446/http://developments.dlr.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Development_Projects/The_future_of_DLR/Where_we_go_Next/DLRextVicEustonStP.pdf |url=http://developments.dlr.co.uk:80/uploadedFiles/Development_Projects/The_future_of_DLR/Where_we_go_Next/DLRextVicEustonStP.pdf |title=Potential DLR extensions |date=15 May 2011 |publisher=Docklands Light Railway |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 May 2011 |access-date=27 January 2020 }}{{cite web |url=https://londonist.com/2011/05/tfl-moots-new-dlr-routes-including-victoria-and-st-pancras| title=TfL Moots New DLR Routes, Including Victoria And St Pancras |work=Londonist |date=3 May 2011z |access-date=27 January 2020}} As of 2020, these extensions of the DLR are not being progressed.{{Cite web |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/mayors-transport-strategy-2018.pdf |title=Mayor's Transport Strategy |date=March 2018 |publisher=Mayor of London }}

In January 2020, Victoria BID – the local Business improvement district – proposed removing the bus station from the mainline station forecourt to create a new "Station Square". Bus stops would be relocated to nearby streets.{{Cite web|title=Buses to be banished from Victoria station?|url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/buses-be-banished-victoria-station|access-date=23 July 2021|website=www.keybuses.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=January 2020|title=People Wanted - Placemaking in Victoria - Public Realm Vision and Strategy|url=http://www.victoriabid.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/People-Wanted-Placemaking-in-Victoria-Landscape-LR-VER03A.pdf|access-date=23 July 2021|website=Victoria BID|pages=105–116}}

Victoria is currently the {{tubeexits list rank|London Victoria station}} station on the London Underground with {{Tubeexits list|London Victoria station}} million passengers using the station in {{Tubeexits list|year}}. The station was not built for this number of passengers, which resulted in overcrowding requiring crowd control measures to be implemented at busy times.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/tube-bosses-tell-commuters-dont-travel-through-victoria-at-rushhour-its-too-busy-a3197996.html |title=Tube bosses tell commuters: don't travel through Victoria at rush-hour, it's too busy |date=8 March 2016 |newspaper=London Evening Standard |access-date=6 August 2017}} The 2018 upgrades have helped alleviate this.{{Cite web |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/victoria |title=Improvements & projects > Victoria |publisher=Transport for London|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418131605/https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/victoria|archive-date=18 April 2019|access-date=26 January 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/victoria-tube-upgrade-new-entrance-and-bigger-ticket-hall-as-officials-aim-to-double-its-size-a3750781.html |title=New Tube entrance and ticket hall unveiled at Victoria station |date=27 January 2018 |newspaper=London Evening Standard}}

On the District line, Victoria station is between Sloane Square to the west and St James's Park to the east, and shares track with the Circle line. The typical off-peak service on the District line in trains per hour (tph) is as follows:{{Cite web |title=District line timetable - Transport for London |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/timetable/district}}{{Cite web |title=CULG - District Line |url=https://www.davros.org/rail/culg/district.html |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=www.davros.org}}

• 12tph eastbound to Upminster
• 3tph eastbound to Barking
• 3tph eastbound to Tower Hill
• 6tph westbound to Wimbledon
• 6tph westbound to Ealing Broadway
• 6tph westbound to Richmond

On the Circle line, Victoria station is between Sloane Square to the west and St James's Park to the east, and shares track with the District line. The typical off-peak service on the Circle line in trains per hour (tph) is as follows:{{Cite web |title=Circle line timetable - Transport for London |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/timetable/circle}}{{Cite web |title=CULG - Circle Line |url=https://www.davros.org/rail/culg/circle.html |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=www.davros.org}}

• 6tph clockwise to Edgware Road via High Street Kensington
• 6tph anticlockwise to Hammersmith via Tower Hill, King's Cross St Pancras and Paddington

On the Victoria line, Victoria station is between Green Park to the north and Pimlico to the south. The typical off-peak service on the Victoria line in trains per hour (tph) is as follows:{{Cite web |last=Transport for London {{!}} Every Journey Matters |title=Victoria line timetable |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/timetable/victoria/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250527143121/https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/timetable/victoria/ |archive-date=2025-05-27 |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=Transport for London |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=CULG - Victoria Line |url=https://www.davros.org/rail/culg/victoria.html |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=www.davros.org}}

• 26tph northbound to Walthamstow Central
• 26tph southbound to Brixton

There are also sidings to the south of the Victoria line platforms, and crossovers to the north of the platforms to enable the trains to terminate and turn around. {{Cite web |title=Detailled London transport map (track, depot, ...) |url=https://cartometro.com/cartes/metro-tram-london/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=cartometro.com}}

The station has direct access to the concourse of London Victoria station, a terminus of the Brighton Main Line to {{rws|Gatwick Airport}} and {{rws|Brighton}} and the Chatham Main Line to {{rws|Ramsgate}} and Dover via {{rws|Chatham|Medway}}.

Victoria Coach Station is about 300 metres south-west of the station. It is the main London coach terminal and serves all parts of the UK and mainland Europe.{{cite web |title=Victoria Coach Station |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/1210.aspx |access-date=26 December 2009 |publisher=TfL}} The station is served by a large number of London Buses routes day and night, using Victoria bus station or neighbouring streets.{{Cite web |date=29 April 2023 |title=Buses from Victoria |url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/victoria-a4-290423.pdf |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=TfL}}{{Cite web |date=29 April 2023 |title=Night buses from Victoria |url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/victoria-night-a4-290423.pdf |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=TfL}}

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Notes

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Citations

{{Reflist}}

Sources

{{Refbegin|30em}}

• {{cite book| last=Course|first=Edwin|title=London Railways|publisher=B. T. Batsford|year=1962}}
• {{cite book |last=Day |first= John R| title= The Story of London's Underground | orig-year=1963 |year= 1979 | edition = 6th | publisher = London Transport | isbn=0-85329-094-6}}
• {{cite book |last1=Day |first1= John R |last2=Reed |first2=John |orig-year=1963 |year=2010 |edition=11th |title=The Story of London's Underground |publisher=Capital Transport |isbn=978-1-85414-341-9 }}
• {{cite book|last=Demuth|first=Tim|title=The Spread of London's Underground|publisher=Capital Transport|year=2004|isbn=185414-277-1}}
• {{cite book|last=Glover|first=John|title=London's Underground|edition=10th|year=2003|orig-year=1981|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|isbn=0-7110-2935-0|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/londonsundergrou1000glov}}
• {{cite book |last=Jackson|first=Alan|year=1986|title=London's Metropolitan Railway|publisher=David & Charles|isbn=0-715-38839-8}}
• {{cite book |last=Rose |first=Douglas |title=The London Underground, A Diagrammatic History |year=1999 |orig-year=1980 |edition=7th |publisher=Douglas Rose/Capital Transport |isbn=1-85414-219-4 }}
• {{cite book |last=Railway (London Plan) Committee |title=Report to the Minister of War Transport |publisher=HMSO |year=1946 |url=http://alondoninheritance.com/london-transport/londons-railways-planning-for-peace/ }}

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Category:Tube stations in the City of Westminster

Category:Belgravia