Islington’s Proposals for transforming historic Clerkenwell Green

Dear CGPS Supporters

In the final “Friendly Streets” report by Councillor Rowena Champion, Executive Director of the Environment, Air Quality and Transport Committee, there is no mention of the statue of Sylvia Pankhurst. The statue, which was rejected by the public in 2017, is now being brought back with a red dot on the map in the new design of Clerkenwell Green. Why is the East End being denied their heroine when Emily had no connection to Clerkenwell and the statue, offered by the Trades Union Congress, had already been rejected? After one thousand years of great orators speaking on the Green, the precedent of no structures on Clerkenwell Green, including statues, must continue to be upheld.

Supporters of the Clerkenwell Green Preservation Society will have the opportunity to reject the sandstone areas, wrongly described as the correct York stone, the statue and the road cutting Clerkenwell Green in half, by January 27th, 2023. It is impractical to retain two Bus Stands blocking Farringdon Lane with south London red double-decker buses. This is the approach to the original Clerks’ Well by schools and tourists, at the heart of the Conservation Area. It is not a suitable place to park these buses, which are unavailable for the local community.

The Society has put forward proposals to renew the granite setts cobbles on Clerkenwell Green, remove the parking of south London double-decker buses on the Green and the motorized “Rat Run” from Clerkenwell Road to Farringdon Lane. Islington Council has now accepted these proposals. Hooray!

It is remarkable that the restoration of George Jennings’ Victorian Public Lavatories is ignored in the “Friendly Streets” report, although the Society is supported by Age UK, London and the Victorian Society in opening this long-neglected structure. It would be good to have the sanitary fittings returned from conservation by Islington Council and this public amenity benefit open for use, after years of closure.

Islington Council “Friendly Streets” requires you to email your comments, as Public Consultation, to [email protected], expressing your concern relating to the items set out above, having read Islington Council “Friendly Streets” papers, before the deadline of January 27th, 2023.

I thank you for your support in restoring the historic public open space of Clerkenwell Green, so precious in its antiquity.

With all good wishes for 2023 from

Ann

Mrs. A.M.F. Pembroke, B.E.M., OSt.J.,
Founder/Director,
Clerkenwell Green Preservation Society Ltd. (a non political, non profit-making local amenity company no. 4353031, run by Volunteers)

Registered Office:

The Penthouse,
42 Clerkenwell Green,
London EC1R 0DU.

Telephone: 0207 490 2000