"Bruce" wrote


The cut and cover tunnels were constructed on an ad hoc basis to allow
buildings to be constructed above, in a way comparable to the Gerrards
Cross Tesco project.

Most of the original Met (Paddington to Farringdon) was built under streets,
which were reinstated after construction of the railway. The District,
between Westminster and Blackfriars, was built as part of the Victoria
Embankment project which also incorporated the river wall, the road, and
Bazalgette's sewer.
http://www.historytoday.com/roger-hudson/taming-thames

Peter