The Braithwaite Viaduct at Bishopsgate Goodsyard has been listed as Grade II, culture secretary Tessa Jowell announced today. The Viaduct, which was built between 1839 and 1842, is part of a complex of buildings and structures at Bishopsgate Goodsyard considered for listing.

The decision raises a question mark over the future of the extension to the East London tube line, which was due to go through the area currently occupied by the Goodsyard.

Forum Response: London Underground

Alan Thornton, project manager at London Underground, told ePolitix.com: "The plans for the East London Line extension never included demolishing the Braithwaite Viaduct at the Bishopsgate Goods Yard. However, we do need to demolish and replace the structures abutting the northern face of this viaduct in order to provide a safe and maintainable railway.

"All the work that we intended to carry out was thoroughly examined during the course of extensive consultation with a number of bodies including English Heritage, culminating in a full public inquiry in 1995. This is normal procedure when organisations such as London Underground apply for powers under the Transport and Works Act to build new railway infrastructure.

"Indeed, English Heritage stated there was 'nothing of special architectural or historic interest' other than the gates and screen wall that were already listed at the time. "The East London Line extension project is being jointly promoted by London Underground, Transport for London and the Strategic Rail Authority.

"This scheme will be a vital catalyst to regeneration in East London by creating new jobs while reducing overcrowding on other routes, speeding journey times in the capital and persuading more people out of cars and onto public transport.

"This action by DCMS will create complications and increase the cost of the project, but we will continue to do everything in our power to secure the benefits this railway will bring."

Forum Response: Transport for London

Ken Livingstone, mayor of London and chair of Transport for London, told ePolitix.com: "While I wish to see the Braithwaite Viaduct preserved, I am extremely disappointed that the Minister has chosen to list it at this time. Myself and Bob Kiley had urged her to delay a decision until progress had been made on the East London Line extension.

"This is because we will now need to seek consents to demolish the adjoining structures which will add frustration and delay to a key London project.

"This is another example of English Heritage potentially sabotaging important economic development in London. I hope they have the sense to allow Tower Hamlets Council to give appropriate permissions to allow LUL to get on with the East London Line works."

Forum Response: English Heritage

A spokesperson for English Heritage told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the protection which has been afforded the Braithwaite Viaduct by the action taken today by the secretary of state.

"As we have made clear previously, we believe this to be an area of considerable character and historic significance.

"We look forward to working with Railtrack, London Underground and their developers on their proposals for the extension of the East London Line and their wider master plan for the area."