Recently, the bridge structure carrying Kilburn High Street over the railway was rebuilt. It was a mammoth task very skillfully managed to allow as much ordinary use of the bridge as possible while the work was going on.
But, so far as public space is concerned, the reinstated bridge offers absolutely nothing new. We're right back where we started. Like giving birth to thin air.
The Kilburn job is done now for at least a generation.
A similarly vital road bridge exists in Kentish Town (see pic). Time will come when major repair and maintenance will have to be done to it as well.
When that moment comes, the opportunity to do something new and special to what is a vital urban piece should be taken with both hands.
To put back exactly what's already there when carrying out essential and thorough-going bridge maintenance would be culpable boneheadedness.
But, so far as public space is concerned, the reinstated bridge offers absolutely nothing new. We're right back where we started. Like giving birth to thin air.
The Kilburn job is done now for at least a generation.
A similarly vital road bridge exists in Kentish Town (see pic). Time will come when major repair and maintenance will have to be done to it as well.
When that moment comes, the opportunity to do something new and special to what is a vital urban piece should be taken with both hands.
To put back exactly what's already there when carrying out essential and thorough-going bridge maintenance would be culpable boneheadedness.
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