This 1925 architectural plan, sourced from Network Rail Archives, provides a detailed overview of the Cab Road Tunnel beneath Brighton Railway Station. Originally designed to facilitate the movement of horse-drawn cabs, this underground passage allowed carriages to transport passengers directly into the station, avoiding the steep incline of Trafalgar Street.
Key Features of the Plan
Tunnel Length and Structure
The Cab Road Tunnel spans approximately 260 metres (853 feet), curving beneath the station platforms to provide a gradual incline for horse-drawn cabs. The sketch elevation illustrates a series of distinctive arched openings along the tunnel’s length, allowing for light and ventilation.
Space for Horse-Drawn Cabs
Annotations on the plan indicate the approximate space required for a single horse and small carriage, demonstrating the tunnel’s original purpose. At its narrowest point, the final ramp leading up to the platforms is just 2.4 metres (8 feet) wide, reinforcing the need for a one-way traffic system within the passage.
Connection to the Goods Tunnel
The Goods Tunnel arch, marked on the plan, highlights how the station’s subterranean infrastructure extended beyond passenger transport. These underground passages were integral to railway logistics, allowing goods and luggage to be transported efficiently without disrupting station activity above ground.
A Legacy of Victorian Innovation
The Cab Road Tunnel represents a forgotten piece of Brighton’s railway history, embodying the ingenuity of Victorian-era infrastructure. While no longer in active use, this hidden passage remains beneath the station, preserving the echoes of a time when horse-drawn transport and rail travel were intricately linked.
