Rhys Jones criticises Liverpool Street plans

GRIFF RHYS JONES has renewed his criticism of “insensitive” and “harmful” plans to redevelop London’s Liverpool Street station as a new campaign launched to block the £1.5bn proposal.

The comedian and broadcaster, who is the president of the Victorian Society, said the overhaul of the station had “nothing to do with the needs of London”.

Sellar and Network Rail plan to remove the station’s 1980s roof and construct a 10-storey hotel and office block in its place, describing it as a “cost-free” upgrade to the station. The two organisations previously worked together to develop the Shard by London Bridge.

Mr Rhys Jones said: “Trying to build a colossal building right on top of the station sets a terrible precedent. People should not be building at the expense of historic and valuable buildings.”

Mr Rhys Jones and the Victorian Society, who have spo- ken out against this development before, yesterday launched the Liverpool Street Station Campaign. It is being supported by Save Britain’s Heritage, the Twen- tieth Century Society, Historic Buildings & Places, the Georgian Group, the Spital- fields Trust, Civic Voice and London Historians.

A spokesman for the Liverpool Street station project team said: “The station that the Victorian Society cam- paigned to save in the 1970s no longer exists as much of it was demolished in the 1980s.

“Our approach prioritises protecting and enhancing the remaining heritage elements, both within the Andaz hotel and the station itself. The Victorian elements of the station are not being demolished.”