This morning on my way in to work I went to check out the newest of London Underground’s pedestrian tunnels, which has just opened below St Pancras and King’s Cross stations. I descended from the hubbub of these two busy mainline termini into an amazingly quiet tunnel, showing how forward planning and investment have ensured that capacity has been provided before it is actually needed, which must surely be a first!

I must say that I was mightily impressed. This is both functional and beautiful, and worthy of a visit in its own right. As you can see from the main photo above and those below, a lightwall stretches the whole 90 metre length on one side, apparently making it one of Europe’s longest such installations. It uses LED lights, capable of emitting the full RGB spectrum as well as white light, “capable of creating a subtle and beautiful moving light show with no shadow lines”.

This first light artwork is entitled Pipette and is the work of Miriam Sleeman (The Cross Kings) and Tom Sloan (Tom Sloan Design) “and is designed to evoke the colourful tapestry of King’s Cross through a tranquil yet animated design.”

You can read more about this new tunnel here.