Underground stations lost beneath London's streets could be opened up again in an initiative designed to give them fresh life as concert venues, bars and tourist attractions.Interesting!
Negotiations to put together the finance needed to refurbish the first of 26 disused stations are under way and have been given the blessing of the Mayor of London Boris Johnson – with the condition that not a penny of public money is spent.Even better.
Though of course, they’ve still to get over the smoking ban, which is what is killing a great many existing pubs and bars, though as Dick Puddlecote's post shows, the brewery bosses are reluctant to admit it...
Ajit Chambers, the entrepreneur behind the scheme, believes the hidden stations and tunnel networks can be revitalised by allowing a range of businesses to move into them. Some would make use of the heritage value of such sites while others would simply make use of the unusual space.In London, this is likely to prove quite a draw.
However, Transport for London, offered a note of caution: "The majority of disused stations have not been used for many years and nearly all are next to the operational railway, which would present a significant safety challenge.At least he’s prepared to put his money where his mouth is…
"We have had extensive correspondence and previous meetings with Mr Chambers and he is aware of the impracticalities of his proposals."
8 comments:
give them fresh life as concert venues, bars and tourist attractions
Perhaps even as underground stations.
Of course TfL will try and put a spanner in the works.
What incentive is there for any public servant to be helpful or constructive? Will he lose his job if the plan is rejected? No.
Will he lose his job if there is a problem? Well no actually but his bonus might be reduced by a fiver.
Where will they put all the homeless people that currently live there?
I bekieve they are known as "Ghost Stations".
I welcome the news that there is no space on the high streets for these ventures as every single property is now home to a thriving business....
oh ..wait..
"He is aware of the impracticalities of his proposals"
Like, he was going to put tables and chairs on a platform next to the open line? Drunks staggering off to honk over the electrified rail? Trains crawling through these revamped places and tired, jaded commuters staring enviously at people relaxing and imbibing?
Maybe TfL might not think putting in a wall would help, but I think it might.
He's been "revealing" his plans for the Underground since 2009.
His company has never filed accounts.
In an Evening Standard article http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23921301-forgotten-tube-stations-to-be-transformed-into-pleasure-palaces.do He excitedly tells how a miniature railway company has expressed an interest whilst name-dropping MI6.
He comes across, at best, as a bit of a Walter Mitty. At worst I'd suggest that this is not a project to waste your life savings on.
"What incentive is there for any public servant to be helpful or constructive?"
Good point.
"I welcome the news that there is no space on the high streets for these ventures as every single property is now home to a thriving business...."
Heh! Indeed. But in London, there's always the 'Wow!' factor to consider.
"Trains crawling through these revamped places and tired, jaded commuters staring enviously at people relaxing and imbibing? "
Hmm, yes. That's a bit of a downer.
"He comes across, at best, as a bit of a Walter Mitty."
Oh dear. That's a bit of a shame.
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