Changing London 12 09 Changing London Changing London
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09 Changing London 12 09 Changing London Changing London AN HISTORIC CITY FOR A MODERN WORLD NEXT ISSUE Continental Railways has delivered a world- EUSTON ARCH SET LONDON’S SUBURBS TRANSPORT class station of which all are justifiably proud, London is a patchwork of planned urban TO RETURN? quarters and historic villages, each with its own London’s complex transport networks are the whilst on the London Underground one of the sense of identity, but an one which is increasingly product of many centuries of development and biggest conservation projects ever undertaken Built by Philip Hardwick in 1837, the either in replica, or reusing some of threatened. We take a look at some of the change, and further change is both necessary has seen many historic stations brought back to Euston Arch (seen here in 1934) the original material, could become issues they face. and desirable if London is to sustain its pre- their original splendour, but modernised so that was the first great monument of the a symbol of the regeneration of this eminence as a world city. However, some they are fit for purpose for the 21st century. Railway Age. Its demolition in 1962 entire quarter of London in the of London’s most important buildings have Similar challenges exist for our streets and amid bitter controversy was not just same way that the reconstruction a crucial operational transport function. a national scandal, but a landmark in of the Frauenkirche in Dresden has public spaces which we will need to adapt to Reconciling 21st century transport needs with the development of the post-war captured European imaginations. address changing needs and priorities, but the legacy of previous generations presents conservation movement. However, without losing the very qualities which make Reinstatement could provide the exciting challenges to those charged with the it is just possible that the Arch might them distinctive. same sort of ‘WOW’ factor for stewardship of London’s historic environment. return again as a part of the Euston that the refurbishment of the Conservation is about managing change so that redevelopment of Euston Station. Skill, expertise, design flair and understanding trainshed and hotel has generated are essential if the special qualities of these it reinforces rather than erodes local character next door at St Pancras. It could also buildings are to be maintained for future and distinctiveness. Always, the starting point become the focus of a fine cluster generations – all underscored by clear vision. is to understand the value of what exists of classical buildings around Euston and to ensure that this informs the whole Square and give the station a proper At St Pancras International an excellent process of change. presence in the townscape. working partnership over a 10 year period between English Heritage and London & It is a tall order for a redevelopment Philip Davies project which will have to generate sufficient funding to address a whole series of public demands – not least a new station, and a package of CONTACT DETAILS other public benefits. However, if it can be achieved, it would send To receive this publication regularly, please send in your address details to: out a powerful signal of national self-confidence in the future of Richard Dumville (Regional Policy Officer) London Region, English Heritage In response to public pressure led the railway network and the by Dan Cruickshank, the founder 1 Waterhouse Square, 138-142 Holborn regeneration of Britain’s cities. London, EC1N 2ST of the Euston Arch Trust (www.eustonarch.org), Network Rail EAST LONDON HERITAGE WEEK Alternatively you can e-mail us at [email protected] and British Land have adopted a AND TRAIL GUIDE thoroughly responsible approach The Heritage of London Trust and and are investigating both the cost Tower Hamlets are jointly hosting a heritage weekend on 13th/14th Additional copies can be obtained from English and feasibility of its resurrection. Heritage Customer Services – call 0870 333 1181 Much of the original stone was used September to reveal some of the Published by English Heritage to fill a hole in the Prescott Channel fascinating cultural treasures, looked after by local communities, but Managing Editor: Philip Davies of the River Lea, where it still Edited by Richard Dumville and Gordon Dulieu remains, whilst the ornamental not normally open to the public. Designed by Real 451 ironwork is in the National Railway Trail guides will be ready in the Printed by Colourhouse Museum,York. summer. If you would like to All images © Richard Dumville/English Heritage except receive one, please send a stamped St Pancras International © Union Railways/Spheroview Ltd Preliminary studies have shown that self addressed envelope to St Pancras Poster © NRM – Pictorial Collection/Science it would be feasible to reconstruct The Heritage of London Trust, 38 & Society it, and that it would fit comfortably Ebury Street, London, SW1W OLU Capital Canals © British Waterways Boone’s Chapel © Research Design Architecture Ltd between the two listed lodges in (Tel: 020 7730 9472) Euston Square Gardens.There is no Gloucester Gate © Paul Cleghorn Public Lighting Ltd www.heritageoflondon.com. Big Ben © Transport for London 2005 CONTENTS 6 10 doubt at all that its reinstatement 2/3 Planning London’s Spaces Crossrail St Pancras Cover image: St Pancras Chambers and train shed 7 11 Kerb Appeal London updates Product code: EH 50943 4 Capital Canals 8/9 12 5 Underground Heritage The Euston Arch London Trams 09 Changing London 2/3 LONDON HAS A “NEW” RAILWAY STATION – ZÖE CROAD CELEBRATES “This was a huge and complex project on an heroic scale. None of what A SPECTACULAR MARRIAGE OF OLD AND NEW has been achieved would have been possible without the consistently good working relationship between English Heritage and all the parties involved” The recent opening of the with nineteenth century warehouses The joinery of the ground floor magnificent new Eurostar station, and station buildings, albeit in a form shopfronts around the periphery of St Pancras International, is a perfect reworked to fit a 21st century the building has been repaired and example of how an historic building station. Where abandoned areas reinstated where missing, completing can be adapted sympathetically to of the original railway sidings the external appearance of the meet modern demands. As we and accommodation had to be historic building. will see, some of these adaptations removed in order to build a The conversion of the Midland were, by necessity, quite radical, new Thameslink station, the new Grand itself, to a 5-star hotel of yet these have added to rather station accommodation was rebuilt 245 bedrooms with residential than detracted from what makes alongside the original trainshed apartments on the upper floors – St Pancras so special. in matching brick and stonework, is well underway and will include All of this came about following the testing the skills of today’s craftsmen, a new extension over the former passing of the 1996 Channel Tunnel who produced some of the finest carriage sidings alongside the work ever seen in a contemporary Rail Link Act, which enabled the The accommodation adjoining trainshed on Midland Road.This has construction project. Four giant construction of both the new high- the trainshed on its east and west been designed by Richard Griffiths openings were cut in the original speed line from the Kent coast to sides has been refurbished to Architects to harmonise with Scott’s train deck in order to bring the the capital and improved interchange accommodate all the new ancillary original gothic detailing, but to clearly splendid, but hitherto unseen, between underground and mainline station functions, including major express its identity as a modern undercroft of the station into play services at King’s Cross and plant handling areas, the Eurostar addition to the building.The as the arrivals and departures area St Pancras stations (including three lounges and retail areas.The rebuilt restoration of the original decoration (once used to store beer barrels). new underground ticket halls). chimney stacks of the East Side of many of the public spaces within This necessitated some complex Buildings now function as ventilation the hotel will put the finishing English Heritage was involved from and delicate engineering work as extracts, and 15 new openings have touches to the long overdue the start of the design process, with the original traindeck formed a been made in the blind arches at the rehabilitation of St Pancras Station, the railway promoters, London & structural tie between the great north end of the west trainshed wall, which now marries 21st century Continental Railways, and their wrought and cast iron ribs forming creating new access points to the technology with the very best of the architects, Foster and Partners. Barlow’s original superstructure. The commencement of the detailed shops and restaurants. past, to provide an exciting new Although the original cast iron experience in sustainable travel. design process heralded the start of columns of the undercroft proved Forming a junction between the a close liaison between the railway (by testing) more than capable of new station roof and the north This was a huge and complex project engineering consortium (Rail Link sustaining the new train loadings, end of the Barlow trainshed was a on an heroic scale. None of what Engineering, English Heritage and additional connections needed to be particularly sensitive issue, but has has been achieved would have been Camden Council) which lasted made within the wrought ironwork been accomplished by the separation possible without the consistently throughout the 10 year construction of the original deck beneath the of the two main roofs by a good working relationship between period. Every detail of the platform wells to comply with transitional area of glazing, with its English Heritage and all the parties restoration and alteration of William modern safety standards.