huge mistake; you place an aged nobleman, dressed in court costume, on a high pillar, and, without a hat upon his bald head, expose him to the pelting of every storm that Heaven sends". Public interest and awareness of Earl Grey also decreased into and during the 20th century. In the 1920s, there were calls from the Durham Branch of the Surveyors' Institution to remove and relocate the monument, due to its growing obstruction of the traffic. Grey's Monument became a Grade I listed building on 14 June 1954. In the second half of the 20th century there were multiple calls (in 1982, 1994 and 1998) for the monument to be renovated, but these were dismissed due to the estimated cost and recognition that previous repairs had led to long-term damage by pollution. The monument lends its name to Monument Metro station, on the Tyne and Wear Metro, opened in 1981 and located directly underneath the monument. The pedestrianised area around the monument is a popular meeting place and is regarded as a speakers' corner. See also Grade I listed buildings in Tyne and Wear References Notes Citations Tourist attractions in Newcastle upon Tyne Buildings and structures in Newcastle upon Tyne Monuments and memorials in Tyne and Wear Grade I listed buildings in Tyne and Wear Grade I listed monuments and memorials Statues in England John and Benjamin Green buildings and structures