Commuters were rejoicing this morning after being able to board Central line trains at Tottenham Court Road for the first time in a year.
Over the past 12 months, while the Central line has been closed at the station, TfL has constructed a new 110-metre passageway that will eventually link to the new five-times larger ticket hall.
They have also built a new step-free access lift shaft, refurbished six escalators, and refitted the platforms and passageways with new finishes and fixtures including lighting and CCTV.
The closure has also allowed a specialist team, employed by TfL, to carefully restore the famous 20th century Paolozzi mosaics as part of a project due to be completed in 2016, when around 95 per cent of the mosaics at the station will have been restored in their original 1984 locations.
The remainder of the mosaics have been carefully transported to the world-renowned art institution in Sir Eduardo Paolozzi’s home city, where he studied in 1943 and later became a visiting professor.
Passengers have welcomed the "magnificent" redevelopment and applauded the design of the bright, white new station.
Matt Cameron said: "Welcome back #TottenhamCourtRoad Station @TfL we've missed you!"
Richard-Lee Read posted: "Exciting to get out of #TottenhamCourtRoad station this morning - the new station is SO BRIGHT!!! #Tube #TubeNerd."
And Omar Shaker tweeted: "Tottenham Court Road Central Line is finally re-opened!!! I have a tear in my [eye], it's magnificent..."
Others tweeted saying they were enjoying a reduced journey time to work.
Leah said: "Excited to use Tottenham Court Road station this morning after its year long refurbishment! So much better than walking from Oxford Circus."
And Nico Chrisi posted: "Enjoying the Central line at Tottenham Court Road, it saves me about 10 minutes."
While Shukri Osman tweeted: "Tottenham Court Road station being open is the highlight of my morning!"
David Waboso, London Underground’s capital programmes director, said: “The opening of this soaring, colourful new entrance is a significant step in our programme to make Tottenham Court Road fit for the 21st century.
"Our teams are still hard at work redeveloping the station and restoring the iconic mosaics by the late Sir Eduardo Paolozzi. I’d like to thank Tube customers for their patience while this vital work is carried out.”
