A prolonged controversy, of vital importance to London, is discussed
with patient care in Charing. Cross Bridge, by Mr. Arthur Keen, the chairman of the Thames Bridges Conference (Berm, 21s.). His exposition of the problem is illustrated with numerous sketch-maps and photographs, showing the many different schemes that have been suggested besides the official plan rejected by a Select Committee last year. Unlike many people who look at the question solely from the Central London standpoint or who are concerned merely with thi: need for a better route for fast traffic through South London, Mr. Keen thinks also of South London itself and insists that this neglected and densely populated area ought to be planned and opened up in connexion with any new bridge scheme. The official plan would admittedly make Lambeth an even more dismal place than it is now, with long streets in tunnels as at King's Cross.- The Lambeth Council's plan, however, would improve the riverside portion of the borough by driving east and west main roads through it and would place the Southern Railway terminus well away from the Thames. Lord Crawford in his admirable preface asks whether the Charing Cross terminus could not be elimin- ated altogether, by a little rearrangement of services and an enlargement of Waterloo Station. It would be well if his question, daring as itmay seem, could be discussed seriously; for, if the terminus could be dispensed with, the whole problem Would he much simplified.
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