Kingsway telephone exchange was a Cold War-era hardened telephone exchange underneath High Holborn in London. Initially built as a deep-level air-raid shelter in the early 1940s for over 8000 people, this is one of 8 shelters not too far front eachpther. it was instead used as a government communications centre, used by many authorities including the MI6.
In 1949 the General Post Office (GPO) took over the building, and in 1956 it became the UK termination point for TAT-1, the first transatlantic telephone cable. Closure of the facility began in the 1980s.
In October 2008, British Telecom announced that the tunnels were for sale.[2][3]
By the early 1980s the site was subject to a phased closure after large quantities of blue asbestos were found on the site. By 1995 only the main distribution frame was still in service. This reportedly has been removed.
One of the highlights was finding the mercury arc rectifier still in tact!
In 1949 the General Post Office (GPO) took over the building, and in 1956 it became the UK termination point for TAT-1, the first transatlantic telephone cable. Closure of the facility began in the 1980s.
In October 2008, British Telecom announced that the tunnels were for sale.[2][3]
By the early 1980s the site was subject to a phased closure after large quantities of blue asbestos were found on the site. By 1995 only the main distribution frame was still in service. This reportedly has been removed.
One of the highlights was finding the mercury arc rectifier still in tact!
