It possesses none of the structural beauty of Blackfriars Bridge, nor the romance of the West Montrose covered “kissing” bridge, currently being rehabilitated by Waterloo Region.

But there’s something about the Platt’s Lane underpass that evokes a simpler time; that connects us to a bygone era in a visceral, experiential way.

I know, I know. I’ve written many times about the failure of successive city councils to come to terms with traffic volumes and the future demands on London’s road grid. Platt’s Lane, though, is a potent antidote to the rush and scurry of Western Road or Wonderland Road or Richmond Street. It’s in a category of its own.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve turned onto that 750-metre stretch of road for the simple pleasure of slowing my heart rate and earnestly ho

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