In The Jaws Of Crossrail

Recession talk temporarily put the frighteners up us over the future of the mega Crossrail project, but signs are good and it's heartening to see Foster's final design for the new Canary Wharf station unveiled.

It looks like a basking shark about to swallow a dinky Docklands cruiser but stretching along the dockside with a length of 217.75 metres it also resembles a massive moored barge itself.

Concern has already been expressed about the feasibility of the public park whose trees are meant to rise above the structure from its innards. A 5000 sq m public green space is proposed but CABE are "not confident" that the park will work.

However, colour coded escalators appeal to our crappy navigational sense and the nautical flavour and green aspirations sit well with the skyscrapery otherworldliness of Docklands' heart without sacrificing the sheer wow factor. The planning application is now before Tower Hamlets and the Mayor.

Crossrail, our excitement builds.

Image credit Foster + Partners