THE STRAND IMPROVEMENT SCFfEME.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOE.n] SIE,—An effort should be made without delay to bring the matter of the Strand improvement again before the County Council. The design in progress of execution will sacrifice the symmetry of the Strand to that of the new crescent, which ought to be, relatively speaking, of secondary importance. In the Strand, as laid bare by the demolition of old houses, we have a fine street which should on no account be throttled by allowing the northern side between St. Mary-le-Strand and St. Clement Danes to encroach beyond an imaginary line drawn parallel to the side walls of St. Mary's Church, and in such a way as to leave ample room for traffic to the north of the church if continued straight. At the present time the view displayed on approaching from Wellington Street would perhaps be, if trees were added, the finest in London,—St. Mary's seeming to stand in the middle and parallel to the sides of the street. But what will the disappointment he when walking eastward if one finds on getting level with the church that the northern face of the street gradually encroaches into the roadway and obscures the further view towards the Law Courts and St. Clement Danes beyond, and if on reaching St. Clement's one turns only to find St. Mary's standing obliquely across the street in almost as awkward a position as is possible ? With reference, moreover, to the whole plan, I am assured by an expert London driver that the different corners intended to be formed by the new crescent and the church respectively will constitute a great danger to traffic, which would be entirely obviated if the plan I suggest were followed. I would like to hint, though this is going beyond the purpose of my letter, that the buildings on the north of the Strand along the line I have suggested should be of stone and built over the pavement, after the manner of the Rue Rivoli in Paris ; and that the proportions and design of the arches and columns should be taken from Wren's windows in the neighbouring apse of St. Mary-le- Strand, so as to form one harmonious whole. At any rate, the new buildings on the northern side should be made to reproduce some of the features suggested by Wren's building. The County Council cannot, of course, listen to every crank, but the opinions I have tried to express are those held by ninety-nine men out of a hundred who have given any atten- tion to the matter. I hope, Sir, you will lend the weight of your authority to obtain at least a respite of the works now in progress, even if nothing more is possible at the present time.—I am, Sir, &c., J. S. l'ElaaY. 15 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
[Mr. Franey's view appears to us to be the right one. It might cost a little more than the Council's plan, but an im- provement on so great a scale is worth carrying out thorough19
if at all Surely the County Council might consider the matter once more, and before it is too late.—ED. Spectator.]
Previous page
