Camden News: TV HISTORIAN Dan Cruickshank, Victorian archway

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Camden News - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 24 April 2008

Dan Cruickshank

TV historian calls for return of arch

TV HISTORIAN Dan Cruickshank has called on the company refurbishing Euston railway station to recreate a Victorian archway demolished in the early 1960s.
Mr Cruickshank, whose most recent TV series saw him travel the world in search of 80 man-made treasures, has turned his attentions to a lost architectural gem that was once a landmark in the centre of Camden – the Euston Arch.
Built in the 1830s by the architect Philip Hardwick, the arch formed a gateway to the station. Now, with Network Rail plotting a £1 billion redevelopment, Mr Cruickshank is gathering a team of formidable figures to persuade them to make it a centrepiece for the project.
He said: “Putting back this arch would send out a marvellous message. It would say we respect our history and can make good the mistakes of the past.”
Among those backing the campaign is Gospel Oak-based actor Michael Palin and architect Sir Terry Farrell.
Mr Cruickshank added: “The current station is so unloved, even the 20th Century Society don’t see anything there worth keeping.
“The only rub is the money. It would cost around £10 million.
“But for a relatively small price, Network Rail could gain international recognition and do something that would really capture the public’s imagination.”

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