Fundraising campaign to restore poem to Waterloo subway

The poem Eurydice by Sue Hubbard adorned the pedestrian subway between Waterloo Station's Victory Arch and the BFI IMAX for nine years until it was painted out in October.

The original installation was funded by the Arts Council but Network Rail painted over the poem when they spruced up the tunnel.

"Permission to install the poem was originally given by Railtrack almost ten years ago, however no agreement was ever made around how long it would be there for or its ongoing maintenance," says a Network Rail spokesman.

"The underpass between Waterloo and the IMAX had become shabby so we re-painted it in October to make it a more pleasant environment for the public and bring it into line with other subways around the IMAX which have recently been refreshed.

"We have agreed in principle with the poet that Eurydice can be reinstated on the wall in the subway if the money can be raised to fund the work."

Salt Publishing have launched a fundraising drive to find the £4,000 it will cost to have the poem reinstated.

By 21 December the appeal had raised just over £600.

Donations can be sent via PayPal to restoringwaterloopoem@saltpublishing.com

A Facebook group devoted to the cause now has more than 1100 members.