Saintly St Pancras

There aren't many occasions when I am truly proud of new developments in London but I have to say that each time I go through St Pancras I feel a small swell of happiness.

The architecture is awesome (the redevelopment cost £800m so I guess it should be good!)- all steel and glass and space. And good to know that some of it (The Barlow Shed) was actually a product of the Victorian engineering revolution. The subterranean walk from the tube station to the main line and international rail stations is really rather smart. I am so happy that visitors from Europe via Eurostar see this building as their first experience of London (so much better than Waterloo).

But I also like that they have incorporated so many shops, cafes, restaurants and other outlets on both the lower and upper levels. But somehow managed to make it feel both intimate and spacious. And there is quite a choice - the well kown chains as well as some more specialist gift shops - an interesting mix.

It's always so dull waiting around for trains and therefore nice to have interesting places that are in a fabulous environment. And I haven't yet had time to visit the market area there...

Then, of course, there is that great long bar and the 9m high bronze of a couple embracing - a piece by Paul Day. I like it anyway. There's also Sir John Betjeman and it's nice to have poetry celebrated this way.