"Robin Mayes" wrote in message
...

"Dan Gravell" wrote in message
...
Just wondered, has there ever been any consideration given to installing
more covers over walkways through busy pedestrian routes in London? The
City becomes a nightmare at rush hour when it starts raining, you can't
walk for people with ridiculously oversized comedy umbrellas.

The trouble with covered walkways is:

a) It needs more upkeep than pavements (no natural cleaning by the rain,
pools of water on the roof can be a breeding ground for insects, if a
clear
domed roof is fitted it needs cleaning to remain clear)

b) It can attract the less desirable elements who would be not be there if
it wasn't covered and dry

c) It needs more lighting than does traditional pedestrian routes, open to
the elements

d) It encourages people to loiter in the area, causing congestion

These were the main arguments against providing a covered routeway between
the two Thameslink stations at Kings Cross during the building works for
the
new station box.

The last statement is not correct. The problems were mainly:

- security (the CCTV cameras on Pancras Road would be useless, as they would
be above the walkway);
- risk of vandalism to the lighting (which would need to be below the level
of the canopy);
- the need to provide foundations, which in itself would reduce the
available walkway width required;
- costs for erection, maintenance and removal.