Historic buildings threatened by Crossrail 2

The current Crossrail project in London is well underway and the first Crossrail services will hopefully start running in late 2018. Now, Transport for London has proposed Crossrail 2, which could run from north to south across London.

However, whilst a new railway in the Capital could help economic growth and development, the Victorian Society is concerned that if the proposed plans are approved, it would result in several historic buildings being demolished to make way for new stations.

The sites identified as being at risk include a:

• late 19th century hotel and apartment building in Victoria;
• grade II listed 1909 building on Tottenham Court Road;
• Victorian block, a former 17th Century coaching inn, a grade II listed 1904 former fire station and a 19th century former church in Wimbledon;
• locally listed pub, the Three Johns;
• terrace built in 19th century, including a grade II listed building;
• block of Victorian buildings in Dalston.

Christopher Costelloe, director of the Victorian Society, said: "Every effort must be made to use those sites which would minimise Crossrail 2's impact on London's unique and historic environment."

Transport for London's managing director for Crossrail 2, Michele Dix, has insisted that in planning the route they have tried to minimise impact on communities as much as possible. Ms Dix said: "Demolition is always our last resort and where buildings are needed we will try to ensure the façade is retained to maintain the character of the local area."

Permission has not been granted for the project yet, and the consultation on the plans runs until 8 January 2016.