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The director of the National Gallery has complained that pedestrianisation and mass public events have "destroyed" the essence of Trafalgar Square.
Nicholas Penny spoke of his "horror" that the square has become a "stadium" and called for the pedestrianisation of the north side to be reversed to restore tranquillity for art lovers.
Dr Penny said: "It's impossible for anyone in my position not to want the traffic back. The chief result of pedestrianisation has been the trashing of a civic space." He has called for the road which separated the gallery from the square to be restored after it was paved over by former mayor Ken Livingstone in a £25million scheme in 2003, creating a piazza free of traffic fumes.
Dr Penny, who returned as director in 2007 after 10 years working in America, said he felt "shock and horror" that the square was no longer an area of "civilised reflection". He believes it has deteriorated due to noise from frequent public events, which is intrusive for visitors trying to quietly appreciate art and architecture.
He said: "I hate what's happening. Levels of civil behaviour are incredibly low. As I speak, people are riding the lions and climbing up as far as they can on the reliefs of Nelson's Column."
The director's criticism extends to One & Other, the art event by Antony Gormley which sees members of the public occupying the fourth plinth an hour at a time for 24 hours a day for the next three months. He said: "The conversion of the fourth plinth into a soap box or theatrical stage may be high-minded in intention but is symptomatic of this pervasive antagonism to architectural order. Official agencies are complicit in the destruction of a major amenity in the centre of our capital city."
He also attacked the number of official events staged outside the gallery. Last year there were 146 mass gatherings, including 35 demonstrations, 19 promotional events such as the filming of the T-Mobile singalong and another 60, including Chinese New Year celebrations, backed by the Mayor's office. "This is a great city square, but its nature is denied by these events. They put barriers up so no one can walk across it."
Dr Penny said he was not opposed to the buskers or artists and likes the "incredibly skilful" rollerbladers, but said the redevelopment had failed to create a public square akin to the Tuileries Gardens in Paris, which was the template. He added: "No one is speaking out for the civil uses of the square - the idea of a village green where anything can happen."
Reader views (11)
The Director seems to be a little bit muddled. On the one hand, he complains about all the official events which he sees as hindering the natural, representative activity that would take place in a "village green" for the city. On the other hand he harks back to pre-pedestrianisation when the Square was a nasty, polluted traffic island. If he wants the village green then should be arguing to retain the pedestrianisation, whilst reducing the number of official events. In any case he sounds like a bit of an autocrat who would probably send out behaviour police to ensure that people were enjoying themselves only through approved activities.
Personally, I'd have no problem with all the political demonstrations being moved to Parliament Square... but MPs passed laws making that difficult.
- Mustafa Arif, London, United Kingdom
It is really sad that the authorities, in their desire to get as much money as [possible from the licensing of loud outdoor events should have sacrificed this great square, and others like it up and down the country, to mass philistinism and deafening noise. Let us just enjoy our pedestrianised spaces in peace and amuse ourselves without being organised en masse.
- Lisa, Bristol, UK
When the great unwashed enjoy themselves everyone suffers. The place has to end up knee deep in beer cans, broken glass and plastic. Climbing on our national monuments by drunks is a sickening sight. The noise in the square can be ghastly. I don't think the cars should come back in the North, but get the people to behave.
I know what Nicholas Penny means.
- Michael, Kensington, UK
Tom, you are so wrong!
Yes Trafalgar (Oct. 1805) was part of the Napoleonic wars but it was a purely English victory, which stopped Napoleon and the vast army he had assembled on the other side of the Channel from invading England. The significance of a loss at Trafalgar would have changed the course of World, not just British, history completely. Waterloo, which took place almost ten years later (June 1815) would never of have happened!
The significance of victory at Trafalgar cannot and should not be under-estimated.
And then there are the (current) fountains which were placed there as memorials to Jellicoe and Beatty in relation to Jutland, another purely British victory
I'm not saying non-British people should be banned from using I'm just saying it should not be used for non-British events. Why should the Square be used to celebrate Indian Independence? You wouldn't expect the French, in a few years time, to let us use the Champs-Elysees to celebrate the 200 anniversary of Waterloo!
Canada House was actually there before the Sqaure was completed. You really need to brush up on your history.
- Mark, South-East London
"Trafalgar Square is there to celebrate victory is one of the World's most historically important battles"
Which, if you recall, was part of the Napoleonic wars, won by the British *and the Prussians, Russians and a number of other countries*. In other words, it partly celebrates the victory of an alliance of nations against a bellicose nationalist (and, not incidentally, the victory of free trade over protectionism, which is why Nelson was ordered to beat up the French in the first place).
If you want to mark this by confining use of the square to cars and banning anyone who isn't British from using it, I suggest this isn't quite in the spirit of the thing.
Of course, if you disagree with this, perhaps you'd like to tell the Canadians to remove their House from the Square?
- Tom, London, UK
There are too many mass events yes but the pedestrianisation has been a briliant success and should be repeated elsewhere. Let me guess, Nicholas Penny is one of the vocal minority who drive to work and want special treatment.
- Jo, London
I couldn't disagree more. Shock, horror, people climb on the Trafalgar Square lions! It is telling that the Director of the National Gallery was in the US for 10 Years. He has clearly forgotten what the Square was like before pedestrianisation. An unpleasant traffic island that it was difficult to access without threat to life or limb. Grey, empty and dull. The pedestrianisation brought it to life, made it accessible and created a real destination Square in London. And brought the National Gallery into a dynamic connection with its environment. Better for London, Trafalgar Square and the Gallery. It's true, people linger and enjoy themselves there for longer now. But Dr Penny doesn't seem to like people that much.
- Judetheowl, London, UK
I think he's dead right.I agree.
- Steve, London
I cannot believe that time after time Trafalgar Square is turned over to groups who want to celebrate foreign events. Ones that readily spring to mind are those to celebrate both India and Pakistan Independence. I go past there most day and there's usually something with a foreign element and a little while back it appear to be some East European Communist rally (somebody please englighten me. Why?
Trafalgar Square is there to celebrate victory is one of the World's most historically important battles but that seems to be a by-issue these days.
The only thing foreign that should be celebrated in the Square is the Christmas Tree (thank you Norway) and the long overdue statue of Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park.
- Mark, South-East London
Cars are so much more civilised than people, aren't they. Tell you what, let's ban people.
Mug.
- Tom, London, UK
I couldn't agree more, traffic around the square is now at gridlock thanks to Red Ken's stupid road scheme. I hope Boris sorts this out by returning the square to people who actually need to get around this city.
- Sarah, London
