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New call to rebuild historic Euston station arch
THE HISTORIC arch which towered over Euston Station is the subject of a debate about whether it could be rebuilt.
Network Rail's £1billion plan to revamp the station was put on ice earlier this year because of the economic crisis.
But in an effort to start the regeneration efforts, Sydney & London Properties - which owns the offices in front of the station - have published a Euston Arch Discussion Document to get people talking again.
The document discusses the viability of rebuilding the Euston Arch as part of any redevelopment of Euston Station. The options include:
Recreating the arch in Euston Road.
Recreating the arch as part of the frontage of the new Euston Station.
A modern interpretation of the arch using water technology.
An arched foot and cycle bridge at the rear of the station.
Building a clocktower at Euston.
A museum to house recovered pieces of the original arch.
Richard Anning, managing director of Sydney & London Properties, said: "We hope this document will stimulate debate. We look forward to engaging with all parties involved, and welcome new voices from the community."
The Euston Arch was built in 1838 as the centrepiece of Euston Station.
It was demolished in 1962 as part of the rebuilding of the station.
In 1994, Professor Dan Cruickshank made a BBC series in which he tracked down the remains of the arch to the bed of the Prescott Channel - part of a network of waterways in East London. He wants to see the arch rebuilt.
"The Arch was one of London's great landmarks," said Professor Cruickshank, who also set up the Euston Arch Trust. "The survival of much of the original material presents an opportunity to restore this masterpiece.
A Network Rail spokesman said: "Network Rail and British Land are continuing to progress their proposals for redevelopment of Euston Station. We are open to suggestions from anyone who can provide a viable plan to incorporate the arch."
The arch discussion document can be viewed at www.eustonvision.com.
E-mail your comments to euston@theproffice.com.
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