Sir Terry Farrell’s radical vision for revamping the streets of London has taken a step forward.
Camden council is about to consider granting planning permission to Farrell’s scheme for the Euston Road. This envisages turning the congested thoroughfare, which runs between Euston and King’s Cross stations, into a continental-style boulevard.
As part of the submission, Farrell has drawn up plans with Transport for London for the Euston underpass, a key feature in the transformation of the area.
Instead of removing the underpass, as was originally planned, the top level will be extended to create more public space. The road on this extended land will be narrowed, a pedestrian crossing will be put in and extra public realm added.
Also likely to get the go-ahead is the removal of the gyratory system between Tottenham Court Road and Gower Street.
A source close to the project said that Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London, had given his full backing to the scheme. Livingstone described Farrell’s plan as one of the most important public realm projects in London.
The source said: “This is the beginning of a whole new set of public spaces in London. It marks the start of changing the Marylebone to Euston road from a highway into a series of linked public spaces.”
The next stage of the Euston Road scheme is expected to be a huge public square in front of the redeveloped King’s Cross Station.
This is not currently in the Argent St George plan for the station, but it is understood that Camden will announce an architectural competition, which Farrell will enter.
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