Holborn Crow's Nest

[announcements]

At the base of the main set of escalators at Holborn there used to be a "crow's nest", which was effectively a CCTV control room. I assume it was removed during the '80s refurb and does anyone know more about it and what is there in its place?

Certainly the behind the scenes of the Holborn escalator video here has them come out from a door in the area below it, but that was simply a set of steep steps up from the escalator chamber rather than upwards stairs.

 

[3141]

It was there and in use in the 1950s, when I transferred between the Piccadilly and Central Lines on the way to and from school. You'd see people watching from inside it, as in your photo. I doubt if there was any CCTV in those days.

 

[announcements]

I think the CCTV trial started in 1961. There was a video / old footage that showed this on the LTM website, but I am struggling to locate the clip. You could see them using the joy sticks to move the cameras!