Network Rail has today launched the start of work on the redevelopment of London Bridge station, described as one of the most “technically demanding” projects ever undertaken on Britain’s railway. The £450M project will be carried out by Costain.

As well an ambitious redevelopment of London Bridge station, the scheme involves major surgery on miles of outdated track and signalling, with upgrades from Bedford to Brighton and on other rail routes that serve London Bridge and ultimately a fleet of new state-of-the-art trains.

“This will be the most ambitious redevelopment of any London station in a generation and one of the most technically demanding projects ever undertaken on our railway,” said Network Rail managing director of network operations Robin Gisby.

Network Rail and Costain will carry out the work to the station and track in distinct phases, each having a different impact on train services. This means a number of shorter periods of disruption rather than all passengers being impacted for the full duration of the project.

Today marks the start of two weeks of “meet the project sessions” at 14 destinations across London and the south east.

When fully complete in 2018, London Bridge will have the biggest concourse in the UK. Lifts or escalators will take passengers to every platform, whilst new entrances on Tooley Street and St Thomas Street will mean better access to cycling, walking and bus routes. Congestion on the Northern line at London Bridge Underground station will be reduced and the capacity for train services stopping at the station between 8am and 9am will increase from 70 to a maximum of 88.

29 October, 2012 | By NCE Editorial