Jorge Da Silva
Established Member
This is informative on part of the topic
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7082392.stm
I recall going to a political party conference in about 1990 or '91, and BR (pretty sure it was BR before 'union railways' or whatever as set up, but it may have been at the time they WERE set up to progress all this, and they were promoting the vision at events like party conferences) had a stand there to promote their plans for the new line and terminus. This was IIRC, complete with a model of the site I feel sure, and plenty of graphic images about how it would change, and brochures about the plans.
Memory of the detail starts to fade but I'm pretty sure this involved new low level platforms in the area between KX and St P for Continental trains. What I do recall was that it involved the demolition of the Great Northern Hotel to make space for this, which I thought was a great shame and made that view clear to the people staffing the stand. No doubt I was told there was little alternative etc etc.
So when final plans eventually came through I was pleased to see that the GN hotel would be retained, and I think of this whenever I pass by the building.
In fact, having just looked up the GN Hotel room rates I wonder if I recounted this story to the hotel management they will reward me with a regular free stay?
After all, it was presumably my berating the staff on the stall for their plans to demolish this nice old GNR railway hotel that swung the decision to keep it?
PS - my name isn't Heseltine (or Prescott)....
It’s very interesting that BR Planned to divert Midland Main Line Services to Euston via Northampton and Market Harborough thank god that did not happen.