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Originally known as Sneads Court on John Rocque's map of London in 1746, the area was wider and more of a courtyard than an alley. Over time, it was renamed Hertford Place and later Yarmouth Mews as the neighborhood evolved into larger hotels and grand houses.
The main focus of the project is replacing the existing timber decking on the walkway, which has reached the end of its useful life. It will be replaced with glass-reinforced plastic panels, a more durable material designed to withstand heavy passenger use and last for many years.
Celebrated architects Foster + Partners, known for iconic structures like the Gherkin, have been selected to design the Queen Elizabeth II memorial in St James's Park, collaborating with heritage specialists and artists.
During the 22-day closure, Southeastern trains into central London will continue to run, but many trains will be diverted to alternative terminals. Most services that would normally use Charing Cross will instead run to London Victoria, London Cannon Street or London Blackfriars, with some trains terminating at London Bridge.
The artwork, called We Move Through Scales of Blue, will comprise four photographic pieces installed alongside the escalators at both stations. As people go up and down, the images appear to shift and change.
