WESTMINSTER MAY BE TRANSFORMED.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16501, 31 July 1919, Page 4

WESTMINSTER MAY BE TRANSFORMED.

(Special to the Christian Science Si mutor.)

LONDON, England

A vast architectural scheme for rebuilding the district around Westminster Abbey is now under way as a permanent Empire war memorial. iho project is based on the plans of Major C. J. V. Pawley, V.D.. and many distinguished people have interested themselves in the otfort. Sir David Beatty. Sir "William Robertson, .Sir Robert liadfielcl, Sir Gilbert Parker and Sir Woodman Burb ridge are on the executive committee of the Empire "War Memorial League which has been formed to further the scheme.

if the scheme is carried through successfully, not only will a much needed piece of town planning ho achieved, but a permanent homo for art, learning, and industry will bo provided, all within an area covered by a triangle based on a proposed Empire embankment between the Tate Gallery and tho Lambeth Suspension Bridge. Much of the properly in this district consists of buildings the leases of which will presently expire, and it will probably come within the future housing schemes of tho London County Council, It is not proposed to interfere with any recently erected buildings which are often. in this district, of an imposing character, but, among the ambitious tiians of tho promote!s, prevision is made for tho construction of an avenue 40 yards wide, and a AO yard roadway, leading northward from the present Lambeth Bridge and in a straight line with it. to bo known ns Empire Avenue; also for the widening of the present Vauxhnll Bridge Road which is to he known as the Columbia Way; for tho erection of a new Empne , r m. j place, of tho present Lambeth Bridge, which is considered unsafe and which: will have to lie rebuilt; for gram! new buildings to house ‘he University of London, King's College, and arts and science exhibits; for n Bhakmpearoau theatre'; for a series of imposin': groups of statuary representing, the Allied nations; for n picture gallery to house the pictures dealing with the war which may become the property of the nation ; a concert hall ; a hall of nations; accommodation for industrial exhibitions; and a permanent homo for a war museum for which at present accommodation is apparently not available. EMPIRE BRIDGE AND AVENUE. The design for the Empire Bridge is to bo sclecit.-l as the' result of a competition open to architects at homo and abroad, the details of which are now being worked out anci a prise ot £'RK)U will be awarded ia the successful architect. From the northern end of the bridge, the Empire Avenue will extend in the direction of Victoria Station a distance of 4000 feet. At tho river cud will ho placed the first memorial group of statuary, which will bo in honour of the British Navy and tho mercantile marine. Going northward towards Victoria similar groups will be placed in circuses. In the Func Belgique will he a group to Belgium: in the Place Mous the doings of the British Army will he commemorated; further on, at tho junction with Canadian AVay, the services of New Zealand will he acknowledged; France will he honoured near the point where the Empire Avenue strikes the Columbian AVay, and at that point- there will be a group to Italy. Some little distance Horn A'ictorin. and between the station and A’auxhall Bridge will be a circus for the United States group, and here the Canadian AA’ay will start eastward, crossing tho Empire Avenue and curving southward into the Avenue Bello Franco ami ultimately striking the embankment at the Victoria Tower Gardens. In this bread avenue will he placed groups representing India, Canada and Australia. The Empire Avenue when complete, it is claimed, will ho the largest, finest, most unique and impressive monumental avenue in the whole of tho British Empire. Tho spaces reserved for the monuments will be 100 yards across and tho northwest side of the, avenue from the bridge to tiio Place Mens will form the frontage of the proposed central buildings for the University of London, 500 yards long, and covering 15 acres. This building is regarded ns tho keystone of tho scheme, whicli also involves improvements on tho south side of tho river, iu tho Lambeth district. It is hoped to bring an electric tube linking up Victoria and London Bridge stations, under tho proposed Empire Avenue and under the river at Lambeth Bridge. A UNIVERSAL APPEAL. Tho cost of the scheme described is estimated at about £10,000,000, the expenditure of which by the London County Council will necessitate special legislation by Parliament. The University of London has not vet given its consent to that part of the scheme which affects itself, but it is hoped that funds will be made available from State sources and by private subscription, so that the site may bo scoured. As far as the memorial statues are concerned, tho league is publishing an appeal for subscriptions for their erection, in the hope that the universal appeal will strike the imagination of the whole Empire and of the Allied States. Offices of the league have been established at 25 Victoria Street, AA r ostminster.