Regenerating City Road Basin
17 March 2010
The Board's property committee visited the Kings Cross and City Road Basin redevelopment schemes after its regular meeting.
The back of Kings Cross station, through which the Regents Canal passes, has long been one of the most run down areas in central London, but at last Argent, the lead developers, are moving ahead after many economic and planning delays.
There are some great old industrial buildings and gas holders that are currently falling down which will be rescued and put to new uses alongside some modern, purpose-built new ones close to the main Europe and indeed Olympic games terminal.
The central heart of the development will be a University of the Arts, with its own theatre bringing young people into the area.
The BW property team have successfully negotiated some one off funding to improve the canal surrounds and some useful ongoing income to maintain the canal, which will be a central feature in the whole development.
The local Cruising Club have been well engaged and I am told are enthusiastic about the overall development, which is great. It will be a good evening time venue, a major change as I wouldn't totally relax using the towpath at night just now.
Similarly at City Road basin, an area of land that was conspicuous for the hoardings and barriers that the kept public out is now an attractive public space that leads into the the basin and then onto the towpath through leafy Islington.
Unfortunately it was a bit cold for the canoe club as I would have liked to have seen some kids out in the canoes.
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