A century’s worth of history lies beneath our feet. Right here at Stratford Market Depot. This wasn’t always a bustling hub for London Underground trains. Stratford Market Depot has a rich past. It was once the site of Stratford Langthorne Abbey a Cistercian monastic abbey founded way back in 1135. The abbey thrived for centuries. It only disappeared after the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538.
Imagine the monks’ lives. They toiled on this very ground. Their routines were dramatically different than what we see today. This land was later home to a vibrant fruit and vegetable market. It opened in 1879. The market flourished for over a century. It rivaled the famous Spitalfields Market. It became so important it gave its name to the local train station. However the market eventually closed in 1991. It moved to New Spitalfields Market in Leyton.
The market’s demolition in 1992 cleared the way for the construction of Stratford Market Depot. The depot was a crucial component of the Jubilee Line Extension project. It was selected because it offered plenty of space. There weren’t too many other businesses or buildings in the way. Construction began in 1994. During construction workers uncovered evidence of the old abbey. They also discovered 674 graves. These were respectfully reburied at Mount St Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire.
The depot’s main building is a remarkable feat of engineering. It features a massive arched roof. This roof covers eleven maintenance roads. The 11-hectare site was cleverly designed. It minimized disruption to the remaining historical elements of Stratford Langthorne Abbey. The depot fully opened in March 1998. This was even before the Jubilee Line Extension was completely finished. It allowed for testing of the new trains and the line itself.
The Stratford Market Depot is more than just a place to maintain trains. It also houses a large training centre for London Underground. This centre opened in 2005. It plays a vital role in training the next generation of London Underground staff. So the next time you see a Jubilee line train remember its journey started here at Stratford Market Depot. A place where history and modern engineering intertwine. This is a remarkable testament to the enduring spirit of London. It demonstrates how the past can shape the future.