Will Soho be negatively affected by Crossrail 2?

Now that the opening of Crossrail 1 – The Elizabeth Line – is approaching, the debate regarding Crossrail 2 is beginning.

This rail link will connect Hertfordshire on the north of the river Thames to Surrey on the Southside, and will run through large parts of London. One of the areas that seems to be attracting much of the debate is Soho.

For many years, Soho has long had a reputation as a bohemian part of town. Associated with writers, artists and the sex industry, Soho has a vibe all of its own. But will the arrival of Crossrail 2 change all that? And if it does so, will it be a negative or a positive change? Will Crossrail 2 bring irreversible change to the area? Change is coming, and some people are concerned about what this will mean for this small but special part of London.

Let’s look at the bigger picture 

London and the south of England are expanding rapidly. The population of London is over eight million, and this population is predicted to increase to over ten million by 2030.

Apart from the population of London, there will be an increase in the population of the south of England. The combined populations of London and the wider area of the South will be looking for jobs and swift and reliable transport links into London.

It has been predicted that Crossrail 2 will provide over 60,000 jobs for its construction, and around 200,000 jobs could be supported by the railway in a variety of industries. So the benefits that Crossrail 2 will bring to London are obvious, but will these benefits have a positive effect on Soho?

Changes are happening now      

Soho has already seen the changes that Crossrail has brought to the area. Tottenham Court Road underground station has been the subject of several years of rebuilding, and there has been seemingly endless demolition and building going on in different parts of the area. There was a fear that Soho Square itself would be a building site for many years. But it appears this will not happen. There is also the fear that Soho will become an area with high priced apartments only wealthy foreigners will be able to afford. Others are concerned the erosion of the bohemian side of Soho will curb its creativity and damage its atmosphere. But are these people being influenced by nostalgia?

Most of the old Soho has gone

The reality is Soho has changed over the years. The seedy Soho of the forties and fifties with its jazz clubs and coffee bars has disappeared. The dingy drinking clubs of the seventies and eighties disappeared with the arrival of all-day openings for pubs. Bright restaurants, wine bars and gastros have replaced many of the old clubs and drinking dens. As for creativity, there are plenty of small design studios and the film and advertising industries have not abandoned Soho.

The Soho of the early sixties was altogether different, and not very many tourists visited the area, especially at night. This has changed. People from outside London now want to come into London, and Crossrail 2 will make it easier for these people to reach Soho.

Crossrail 2 is coming, and we’re sure Soho will retain its special atmosphere. Locals will make sure the best bits are saved for posterity while they embrace the changes and benefits the new rail link will bring.

If you would like more information regarding property in Soho or the surrounding area, why not contact us? We are Central London’s leading estate agent and have a vast amount of knowledge of property in the West End.