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Roland Perry · May 24th 15, 04:44 PM posted to uk.transport.london

In message , at 11:33:37
on Sun, 24 May 2015, remarked:
It think it was constructed as one line, but maybe the two main sections
had previously gained Parliamentary approval with different rules about
being constrained to "under roads" or not.

I think the history was why the Aldwych branch was constructed as double
track.

Which is presumably under the road 90% of the way, but not the final 10%

Was the constraint about lines not running under buildings a legal
limitation, or a prudent decision by the tunnellers to minimise the
chances of being subsequently sued by building owners over cracks that
developed once the trains were running?

The issue was probably one of obtaining wayleaves. The owners of property
own the land below to the centre of the earth, with certain limitations,
e.g. for mineral rights. So maybe the GNPBR was able to negotiate some
wayleaves but only on that one section?

They were only responsible for Holborn northwards. And yes, they had
clearly gained permission for the most egregious non-road section from
Russell Square to Kings Cross.
--
Roland Perry