How the restored entrance at Euston might look

• THE proposals for a glass eyesore, that is vastly overpriced and which serves no meaningful purpose, at Euston station has understandably evoked much opposition, (It’s the year 2036… and this is Euston, March 10).

It was Queen Victoria herself in her day who had set the original price of railway tickets at 1d so that everyone could enjoy the benefit of the new form of travel; and of all the stations that adorned the capital Euston was the finest.

The elegant Great Hall was dedicated to Stephenson and his Rocket but it was the doric propylaeum that adorned the main entrance that was the centrepiece and at 70ft it proudly welcomed everyone to London’s premier station.

In the early 1960s, despite a vigorous campaign for its preservation however, it was torn down and its remains unceremoniously dumped into the River Lea in what has been rightly described as the most wilful acts of destruction ever visited upon London’s architectural heritage; this despite vigorous opposition from the likes of John Betjeman, Nicholas Pevsner and the Victorian Society.

The Euston Arch Trust has now recovered these stones and wants the original arch restored to its former glory.

In 2016 transport minister John Hayes gave this the go-ahead but it has not as yet come about.

The illustration (above) shows how the restored entrance might look. And Betjeman’s short video made at the time is of much interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-DTC6vtwiU

It can only be hoped that soon the arch will once more regain its rightful place.

JOHN McPARTLIN,
Creighton Avenue, N2