Bethnal Green tube station is a station on the Central Line of the
London Underground in Bethnal Green, East London.
It lies between Liverpool Street and Mile End stations, and in Travelcard Zone 2.
The station was opened as part of the long planned Central Line eastern extension
on 4 December 1946; before that it was used as an air-raid shelter. On 3 March 1943,
173 people were killed in a crush while attempting to enter the shelter.
The station is a fine example of the typical "New Works Programme 1935 - 1940" style
adopted by London Transport for its new tube stations. Extensive use is made of pale
yellow tiling, originally manufactured by Poole Pottery.
This has been replicated during the 2007 modernisation although several panels of original
tiling were retained on the platforms. The finishes include relief tiles, showing symbols of
London and the area served by the London Passenger Transport Board, designed by
Harold Stabler.
The station entrances, all in the form of subway access staircases to the subterranean
ticket hall, all show the design influences of Charles Holden, the consulting architect for
London Transport at this time.
October 8, 2018