THE SURREY SIDE OF THE THAMES
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIE,—The future development of the Surrey bank at West- minster is again under discussion, and it seems as if we are now in measurable reach of some practical issue on this long outstanding question. It is well, therefore, to have in readiness a well thought out scheme for utilizing this site to the best advantage.
The conformation of the river bank at this point has decided that this should be a garden embankment as contrasted with the road embankment on the other side of the river. It may be resolved to line this bank with official buildings, domed and cupola-ed. There has been mention of it as the site of a London University. Whatever may be decided in this respect, at least one stretch of the shore between Westminster and Blackfriars might with pleasing effect be laid out as a terrace of shops, flats, hotels and open-air cafes. There is an excellent opportunity of retrieving some of the best features of the old Regent Street. Now that they have been lost to us, we are better able to appreciate their real value. (Let us trust that Brighton will profit by the lesson and not too easily part with its Regency architecture.) The new parade, call it the Belvedere, after the Belvedere Road, will be removed from the turmoil of the motor traffic, and its stuccoed frontages will face the blistering sun. Between it and the river will be a strip of lawn and flower beds, and an avenue of limes (or trees which do not grow to a large size) and beyond that a broad footwalk skirting the river wall. What a priceless asset it would be" to establish in the heart of the Metropolis, within easy access of every part of London, a pleasance of this kind; 'with all the amenities of a Continental spa at our doors so to speak; without the trouble and expense of going abroad for them.' What an economy for individual pockets to b:‘ able to enjoy at small expense the best of the open-air pleasures of town life !—I am, Sir, &c., S. CAMERON. 21 Gisburn Road, Hornsey, N. 8.
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