Tube stations receive listed status 27/07/2011

In recognition of their architectural, historical and cultural importance to the capital, John Penrose, the culture minister, has awarded sixteen London Underground stations listed status. The majority of these, including Covent Garden and Oxford Circus, have been assigned Grade II status, while three others (Arnos Grove, Oakwood, and Sudbury Town) have been given a higher protected status, having been conceived by modernist architect Charles Holden. Some of the stations were singled out due to their 1930s Art Deco style and others thanks to their ox blood red tiles, designed by architect Leslie Green. This latest crop of stations to be granted protected status, which will mean Transport for London’s £10bn refurbishment of the Tube will have to be rethought, brings the total number of protected stations to 72.

Mr. Penrose commented: “Tube stations are great examples of the capital’s hidden heritage. Although listing does not mean these stations will remain unchanged for all time, it does mean that any redevelopment plans will have to take the sites’ heritage value into account, which will ensure the best of design is preserved for the future.”

Chief executive of the English Heritage conservation body, Simon Thurley, added: “The London Underground not only set the standard for progressive transport systems, but has displayed a remarkable commitment to quality and consistency of design. The stations awarded listed status today are as valuable to London’s architectural story as many more-famous buildings like the Houses of Parliament.”

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