The pedestrian subway running beneath Archway Road, between Despard Road and Pauntley Street, will be closed when the gyratory is redeveloped this year and replaced with a surface level crossing. Perhaps people feel safer crossing the road above ground but I have never found this subway intimidating and haven't heard of any 'incidents' occurring in it.
There is a certain fascination with London's underground spaces and as this one is shortly to be gone I decided to document it before it closed. Several people walked through while I was there. "We won't be able to walk through here much longer," I commented to one. She looked at me as if she wondered what I was talking about. A man cycled through, despite signs forbidding this.


But there's step-free access at both ends so perhaps cycling is irresistible? A long ramp curves down from Despard Road.


Steps down from Archway Road also provide access at this end, entering the subway slightly along from it's western end.


There's a convex mirror at the bottom of the steps so you can check the way ahead.



On the opposite side the ramp and steps form a 'T'.


There's another convex mirror at this end but it's very little use as it's so scratched up.


Most people seem to walk through with their eyes down, intent on little more than getting to the other side of the road. But looking up is a real treat as the ceiling is a riot of artwork. It starts with psychadelic swirls at the Despard Road end...


... and continues through to childlike drawings as you approach the Pauntley Street exit.


All very 70s. I have no idea who painted this ceiling but I'll miss it when the subway's gone.
I wonder how they will close it. Will they just gate it off or fill it in somehow? Have to wait and see. No idea when it will be closed as beyond a start date of 1st Feb I haven't seen any timetable of what will happen when with the gyratory works. So if you want to see this soon-to-be-gone part of Archway's history my advice is to walk through now before you miss it.
All photos from Despard Road subway