The Underground Map of Britain, 5 April 2024, Channel 5

The Underground Map of Britain takes viewers on an entertaining journey through the history of London’s iconic tube network, offering fresh insights into how this engineering marvel has shaped the city over the past 160 years.

The programme, airing on Channel 5 on Friday 5 April, delves into the origins of the world’s first underground railway, which opened in London in 1863 as a solution to the city’s growing traffic congestion. The Metropolitan Railway, as it was known, used gas-lit wooden carriages hauled by steam locomotives, laying the foundation for what would become an extensive rapid transit system.

The episode explores the challenges faced by early engineers, who dug tunnels through London Clay using a method patented by Peter William Barlow in 1864. This resulted in the Tower Subway, a pedestrian tunnel under the Thames, but the first successful tube railway was still years away.

The development of electric power and safe lifts in the late 1880s paved the way for the next wave of tube construction. The City and South London Railway, which opened in 1890, was the first deep-level tube line, with electric locomotives hauling carriages. This innovation allowed for much deeper tunnels, penetrating the heart of the city.

The programme also examines the branding and marketing of the Underground, including the iconic tube map designed by Harry Beck in 1931. This schematic map revolutionised how people conceptualised public transportation, with Beck’s work influencing subway and train maps worldwide.

Viewers will learn about the joint marketing efforts of the early 20th century, which saw the emergence of the iconic UNDERGROUND signs outside stations. The episode also touches on the impact of World War I, with tube stations serving as shelters during air raids, and the post-war period, which saw the nationalisation of the Underground and the prioritisation of mainline railways over its maintenance.

The Underground Map of Britain offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and evolution of London’s tube network, shedding light on the engineering, branding, and social impact of this transport system that carries millions of passengers daily.

The Underground Map of Britain airs on Channel 5 at 8:00 PM, Friday 5 April 2024.