Boris 'right behind' reader's campaign to re-name Archway station

MAYOR Boris Johnson is to champion a Ham&High reader's bid to re-name an underground station in time for the Olympics.

After discussions with the Ham&High's editor on Tuesday, the mayor says he is 'right behind' campaigner Walter Roberts' idea of re-naming Archway station after London's first mayor, Dick Whittington.

''It seems to make a lot of sense. The great Whittington hospital is already there as a landmark building and the re-naming of the underground station would seem very appropriate, given the historical connection with Richard Whittington,'' said Mayor Johnson.

The mayor has promised to put the issue high on the Transport for London agenda, with a view to having a consultation with local residents and public transport users. Archway is also a hub for London buses.

Mr Roberts, who lives in Henfield Close, is delighted by the mayor's enthusiastic support.

''A million thanks to the Ham&High for acknowledging a worthy cause and not just that, but for doing something about it,'' he said.

Mr Roberts has written on the issue a number of times in the Ham&High's Viewpoint columns, and also in the recent Readers Edition.

He was interviewed by BBC London last week after editor Geoff Martin highlighted his campaign in a Radio London programme and the Ham&High editor raised the matter again with Boris Johnson at a City Hall reception for Archant London editors on Tuesday night.

''There's no doubt that the Mayor thinks it's a great idea. He's very enthusiastic about it. Dick Whittington was the legendary first London mayor, a historic figure, but sadly many people now believe that he lives only in pantomime. Boris obviously thinks as we do that it is time to put that right,'' said Martin.

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