Tunnel

Another evening and another ‘extra’ walk to ensure I am achieving my daily exercise goal. This time we talk a route to the other side of the station, up past the post office and then down the hill again. Twenty minutes in total and it’s sufficient to hear the satisfying ping when I reach the required number of calories burnt.

At Raynes Park the railway travels along an embankment which allows for the interchange between the lines that head down to Kingston and those that head towards Worcester Park and beyond. As a result there is a long footbridge on the station platforms and a tunnel that passes underneath the lines connecting one side of Raynes Park with the other (and one station entrance with the other).

I understand, but have never seen any pictures, that this tunnel used to permit cars to pass through (I assume one way only) and was wide enough to also incorporate a raised pavement. Today, there is a road underpass just a few yards away and this is solely a pedestrian route (often also used by cyclists). One of the advantages of lockdown - and far fewer people using the station in the evenings - is that occasionally there’s nobody walking through. I always try to grab a picture.