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Author Topic: Zebra Crossing  (Read 2979 times)

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Bobber

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Zebra Crossing
« on: December 23, 2010, 09:08:40 AM »

The most famous pedestrian crossing in popular music, outside Abbey Road Studios in north London, was designated a site of national importance by the British government on Wednesday.

Beatles fans from around the world flock to the road to pose for photographs imitating the picture on the "Abbey Road" album cover which shows Paul, John, George and Ringo strolling over the crossing.

"This London zebra crossing is no castle or cathedral but, thanks to the Beatles and a 10-minute photoshoot one August morning in 1969, it has just as strong a claim as any to be seen as part of our heritage," said John Penrose, Minister for Tourism and Heritage in a statement.

Penrose declared the crossing a Grade II listed site on the advice of national preservation body English Heritage.

This means the crossing can be altered but only with the approval of the local authorities which would make a decision based on the site's historic significance, function and condition.

Abbey Road Studios themselves were listed Grade II in February.
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I am the Paulrus

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Re: Zebra Crossing
« Reply #1 on: December 26, 2010, 05:31:34 PM »

Abbey Road Crosswalk Given Landmark Status

December 22, 2010

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12059385



The Abbey Road zebra crossing in north London - made famous after appearing on a Beatles album cover - has been given Grade II listed status.

The crossing - the first of its kind to be listed - is being recognised for its "cultural and historical importance" following advice from English Heritage.

The Beatles were photographed on Abbey Road in Ian Macmillan's iconic cover shot for the 1969 album Abbey Road.

Sir Paul McCartney said it was the "icing on the cake" in a great year.

'Huge cultural pull'
 
The original zebra crossing, where the photograph was taken, was moved several metres for traffic management reasons more than 30 years ago, and no original features remain.

A spokesman for Westminster City Council said: "The detail of exactly when and why the crossing was moved from its original location have been lost in the annals of time.

"But by comparing photographs with the Ordnance Survey maps, we believe that the crossing might have been further north nearer 3 Abbey Road, which was the front house of the EMI Studios, because the steps of Neville Court appear to the right of the crossing in original photographs of the crossing, whereas the present crossing is near the junction of Abbey Road and Grove End Road."

But John Penrose, Minister for Tourism and Heritage, said: "This London zebra crossing is no castle or cathedral but, thanks to the Beatles and a 10-minute photo-shoot one August morning in 1969, it has just as strong a claim as any to be seen as part of our heritage."

Roger Bowdler, head of designation at English Heritage, said: "This is obviously an unusual case and, although a modest structure, the crossing has international renown and continues to possess huge cultural pull - the temptation to recreate that iconic 1969 album cover remains as strong as ever.

"Together with the nearby Abbey Road studios, also listed at Grade II on our advice, they remain a Mecca for Beatles fans the world over."

Sir Paul said: "It's been a great year for me and a great year for the Beatles and hearing that the Abbey Road crossing is to be preserved is the icing on the cake."

The crossing is outside the Abbey Road studios, where the Beatles recorded much of their output.

That building was granted Grade II listed status in February.

A Grade II listing, the most common protected status, means that a building or monument is recognised as nationally important and of special interest.

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Euan Buchan

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Re: Zebra Crossing
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2010, 11:06:02 AM »

Great place
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