Bishopsgate faces legal challenge

Objectors who want to save the historic Bishopsgate Goodsyard will seek an injunction if London Underground attempts to demolish any of the historic site to prepare for the East London line extension.

The London Railway Heritage Society has obtained a barrister's opinion stating that any demolition would be unlawful.

Chairman Martin Foley said: "LUL have ignored three engineering reports, which made it clear that the new line could easily be built on the existing viaducts and demolition of the historic arches is therefore unnecessary vandalism."

New plans also suggest that building the £600 million extension on top of the viaduct instead of demolishing it will actually save nearly £25 million.

Environment Trust architect Ben Derbyshire confirmed that engineers were certain that the structure was adequate to take the load of both the lines and the proposed new station.

The Environment Trust's plans include opening up the goodsyard with new entrances, escalators and bridges, creating space for leisure, workshops and shops inside the brick vaulting and creating a new park and up to 400 homes on top of the site.