Fears the heart of Islington could be ripped out to make way for a giant underground railway are growing.
Plans for Crossrail 2, a £12 billion subterranean train route running through the centre of the borough, could see the iconic Grade II listed Co-op bank on the corner of Pentonville Road and Islington High Street bulldozed, as well as disruption to a number of other buildings opposite Angel Station.
A consultation has been launched, and members of the public voiced their opposition at a public meeting in January, but Cllr Martin Klute, an architect who represents St Peter’s Ward, which covers the area, says Transport for London (TfL) and Network Rail intend to plough ahead regardless.
He said: “The messages we are getting back via council offices are they are ’progressing’ with their plans but considering options.
“It just sounds like lip service. They are not going to back out after spending £100,000s on architect’s fees while progressing.
“It feels like they are completely ignoring the public’s concerns.
“This is not just nimbyism from conservation groups.
“The RBS building [next to Angel tube] is a total lump in the middle of Islington. It’s an eyesore and if TfL wanted to use that no one would mind.
“In fact that would be actual regeneration, this just feels like vandalism.”
However a spokesman for Tfl said some changes had been made to the plan following the results of the consultation - but these couldn’t be made public just yet.
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