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High speed trains threaten to derail new RCGP HQ

By Gareth Iacobucci

The RCGP's flagship new headquarters in London is under threat before it has even opened, after the college revealed it was in danger of being destroyed by London's planned High Speed 2 rail link.

The college said it had been made aware that the proposed refurbishment of Euston Station to make way for the new High Speed 2 rail link could place a risk to its grade 2 listed property on Euston Road, which it plans to relocate to in Autumn 2012.

The college had boasted of the excellent transport links their new HQ would have, but are now warning of an ‘outcry' among the profession and the public if the building is adversely affected by the work on Euston Station.

They have said they would respond to the Department of Transport's consultation on the new rail link this coming Spring to voice their concerns and are vowing to liaise with the Victorian Society, English Heritage and other interested parties to raise awareness of the historical importance of the building, and its ‘essential role as a base for quality general practice'.

Hilary De Lyon, chief executive of the RCGP, said: ‘This building is an extremely important and unique piece of architecture by the architect Arthur Beresford Pite, created in 1906-1908 and extended in 1923. It is grade 2* listed and would be a great loss to the nation's heritage if it was destroyed.

‘It was specifically purchased by the RCGP for its size and location to provide an improved and more efficient centre for the training and professional development of GPs across the UK and internationally. It will be fully equipped with a state of the art auditorium, a clinical skills assessment centre and conference centre for GPs at all stages of their careers.

‘The RCGP is convinced that there will be an outcry amongst the profession and the public should this building be adversely affected in any way by the HS2 plans.'

New RCGP building