Changing the Face of London

Abstract

IN his Friday evening discourse at the Royal Institution delivered on February 3, Sir Charles Bressey dealt with the question of “Bigger London or Better London?” He illustrated by lantern slides the growth of Greater London since the Great Fire and described the complex administration of the area, now that its population has reached 9½ millions, equivalent to the entire population of Norway and Sweden. In twelve years time the population within a thirty-mile radius of Charing Cross may reach a ‘peak’ figure of lOf millions. Meanwhile growth continues with such alarming rapidity that the inadequacy of British road communications has necessitated the preparation of the Highway Development Survey published by the Minister of Transport last May. Its recommendations, looking thirty years ahead, include the construction of about 123 miles of new routes in the L.C.C. area, 368 miles outside the L.C.C. area (exclusive of motorways) and motorways to a total length of 307 miles. The total cost will lie between £160,000,000 and £230,000,000. Sir Charles stressed the urgent need for a new east-west route across London (the east-west connexion), for the completion of the South Circular Road, the formation of a loopway around the City, and the extension of the Thames Embankment so as to form a continuous riverside promenade extending for eight miles from Putney Bridge to the Tower of London. The incessant congestion of London's main roads in time of peace was some inkling of what might happen if a hurried evacuation had to be undertaken. If the Government decides that the present time is not propitious for the undertaking of extensive works of road construction, nothing can justify the postponement of measures for safeguarding the course of new routes, which include tunnels adapted for use as part of London's air-raid defence schemes.