St Pancras Opens November 14, 2007
Posted by CamdenKiwi in : Camden , trackbackFor all the years I’ve known this part of Camden, there’s been a huge eyesore of a building site in the south-east corner of Somers Town. Roads have been blocked and the most exquisite architecture in the area has been under varying degrees of cover and scaffolding. Finally, it has started opening and today the first bookable Eurostar left St Pancras.
Paris is now only 2hrs 15 minutes away and, more importantly for me, the walk to the station is 10 minutes shorter. Brill Place, signposted ‘formerly Phoenix Rd’, was unblockd last week for the first time in years, opening up a quick shortcut into St Pancras, and through to the side platforms of Kings Cross. Door to Gare du Nord in less than three hours, and no need to allow for tube delays.
This morning, those details were unimportant as the first train pulled away. The refurbished train hall is magnificient. Classic Victorian brickwork and steel girders are topped by the lightest transparent roof. The best of the Victorian era meets the best of ours in a place which will uplift and delight for years.
Hundreds of passengers, media people and sightseers thronged to see it leave, and admire it all. The announcer repeated that flash photography was not permitted on the platform. No chance.
Cycling protesters did a great job of getting in every shot and made their point about the sad lack of bicycle parking on the station well.
The statue of the kiss is as tacky as reported, but that of John Betjeman, poet saviour of the station is set to become a favourite. The old clock, with hands and brass numerals, presides over it all, reminding everyone in the champagne bar which runs the length of a platform not to miss their train.
The shops aren’t open yet, and the lack cycle parking is scandalous, but they’ve done very, very well here. The place is beautiful.
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