Epping tube station
Epping | |
|---|---|
| Location | Epping |
| Local authority | Epping Forest |
| Managed by | London Underground |
| Number of platforms | 2 |
| Other information | |
 London transport portal | |
Epping on the London Underground is the eastern terminus of the Central Line. The preceding station to Epping is Theydon Bois, which is approximately three minutes travelling time away. Epping station is in the Epping Forest District of Essex and is one of only eight London Underground stations in the Epping Forest District[1] and is in Travelcard Zone 6. The station's postcode is CM16 4HW.
History
In 1856, The Eastern Counties Railway (later Great Eastern Railway) opened a double track railway between Stratford and Loughton with a single-track extension between Loughton and Ongar being added in 1865. The popularity of the line led to the doubling of the track between Loughton and Epping. The line was well served with 50 trains operating between London and Loughton each day, with a further 22 continuing to Epping and 14 more to Ongar. Loughton to Epping became part of the London Underground Central Line on 25 September 1949, leaving the single track line from Epping to Ongar as the last steam worked section, British Rail ran the track until 1957 when the line was electrified and became part of the Central Line. However, services were not connected to the rest of the Central Line network, meaning passengers wishing to go beyond Epping were required to change platforms. Until 30 September 1994 Epping station served as the transfer station for the aforementioned single track line to Ongar via North Weald and Blake Hall stations.
The station today
Epping station saw a growth in passenger numbers in the mid 1990s due to the closures of nearby North Weald and Ongar stations. This growth has continued due to significant development in Epping itself and surrounding villages. Another major contributing factor is that many people living in not too distant towns such as Harlow and Bishop's Stortford use the station instead of their own National Rail stations, due to it being considerably cheaper to travel to London via the Central line rather than National Rail services. Growth is now at such a point where the station’s car park is full by 6:30 am and parking around the station has become a serious problem for local residents, which in turn has caused many residents and local groups to call for the re-opening of North Weald and Ongar stations to help ease demand on Epping station.[2][3]
Trivia
- Epping holds the honour of being one of the five London Underground stations which is past the M25 boundary. The other four are on the northern end of the Metropolitan line and are in Travelcard Zones 8 and 9.
- The longest journey without change on the London Underground can be made on the Central line between West Ruislip and Epping (54.9 km, 34.1 miles).[4]
- Epping station counts approximately 6,200 users daily.[5]
- Epping has the second largest public London Underground station car park with 508 spaces.[6]
References
- ^ http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/community/transport/the_tube.asp
- ^ http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/display.var.2080328.0.epping_tyres_slashed_in_parking_row.php
- ^ http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/search/display.var.2287122.0.our_village_was_not_built_to_become_a_car_park_for_those_outside_the_area.php
- ^ http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/modesoftransport/tube/linefacts/?line=central
- ^ http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/3873.aspx
- ^ http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/3873.aspx
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