Sir Francis Fox, having been asked by the Dean and
Chapter of St. Paul's to report iaa the probable effect of the construction of the proposed underground tramway, has issued a report strongly condemning the scheme as endangering the safety of the Cathedral Ho finds that since his examination on two former visits the masonry shows serious signs of disturbance—actual movement is now going on in the buttresses of the dome—and, in view of the fact that the Cathedral is founded, not on rock, but wet sand, gravel, and peat, and that the necessary excavations will probably affect its equilibrium, be is of opinion that not only should any further cause of weakness be forbidden, but that immediate remedial measures are needed to secure the safety of the Cathedral. He accordingly concludes : "I am of opinion that this covered way and station should on no account be permitted in such close proximity to the Cathedral." The protest of the Dean and Chapter, which is supported by the Corporation of London, has been submitted to the Parliamentary Committee of the London County Council. The Council itself does not meet till January 21st, and their Tramways Bill, of which the scheme forms part, will not come before Parliament before March. In view of the unequalled authority of Sir Francis Fox in such matters, we may reasonably expect that the scheme will be abandoned or modified so as to meet his objections.
Previous page
