The Report of the Improvement Committee, published on Thursday, recommends
that, amongst other things, the London. County Council should again take in hand the schemes for widening the Strand and for forming a new main street. .between Holborn and Oxford Street, which, it may be remem- ttered, were proposed a year or two ago, but were not pro- ceeded with because Parliament would not sanction the introduction of the principle of " hetterment." It is suggested, in regard to the widening of the Strand, merely to take down the south side of Holywell Street, which forms an island block, and throw the acquired space into the roadway. The estimated cost is £501,500, and it is proposed that the owners of the north side of Holywell Street, who would thus obtain frontages on the Strand, should be required to contribute, by way of im- provement rate, "a sum which shall not exceed one-half of the increased annual value of their property." The Report, in regard to making a new connection between Holborn and the Strand, suggests the formation of a new street 90 ft. wide running from the Holborn end of Little Queen Street to the point where Drury Lane is intersected by White Hart Street and Blackmoor Street, and then gently curving to the Strand, taking in the east corner of Catherine Street. Both these improvements are much needed, and it is greatly to be hoped will not be much longer delayed. The effect of the widened Strand, from which will rise the two island churches, ought to be singularly picturesque.
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