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Loss of parkland to the creation of Park Lane
A significant portion of Hyde Park was lost to the construction of Park Lane. In the early 19th century, a major road-building project was undertaken to improve transportation links between London and the west of England. As part of this project, Park Lane was constructed along the eastern edge of Hyde Park, resulting in the loss of a substantial amount of parkland.
Prior to the construction of Park Lane, Hyde Park covered an area of approximately 350 acres. However, the construction of the road reduced the park’s size by around 63 acres, with the loss mainly affecting the northeastern corner of the park. The reduction in size led to protests from some members of the public, who argued that the park was a valuable public amenity that should be protected from further encroachment. Despite these objections, the road was built, and today Park Lane is a busy thoroughfare that runs alongside one of London’s most iconic green spaces.
Loss of significant land to the widening of Park Lane
In addition to the initial loss of land to the construction of Park Lane in the 19th century, a further portion of Hyde Park was lost to the widening of the road in the 1960s and 1970s.
In the 1960s, plans were made to widen Park Lane as part of a larger road improvement scheme in London. The widening project required the removal of several rows of trees and a significant area of parkland on the eastern edge of Hyde Park. The work was completed in the early 1970s, and today Park Lane has three lanes of traffic in each direction.
The loss of parkland caused controversy at the time, with some people arguing that the expansion of the road was unnecessary and that the park should be protected from further encroachment. Despite the protests, the road widening project went ahead, and today the eastern edge of Hyde Park is dominated by the busy traffic of Park Lane.