30.06.14
Bond Street upgrade works pass another milestone
Jubilee line trains are no longer stopping at Bond Street Underground station because of improvement works.
But Central line services resumed calling at the station from 18 June.
The transformations include a new ticket hall, new escalators and lifts to provide step-free access as well as an interchange to Crossrail services within the station.
The contractor is a joint venture made up of Costain and Laing O'Rourke, with consultancy services from WSP.
The Crossrail elements of the work under the C412 contract will be delivered by another JV, Costain with Skanska.
The project went behind schedule early last year when unforeseen demolition and piling problems slowed progress.
Many of the developments are aimed at preparing for the increase in footfall and capacity that the Crossrail interchange will require, from 155,000 to 225,000 daily passengers.
David Waboso CBE, London Underground’s Capital Programmes Director, said: “Bond Street station, at the heart of the West End, is already a major destination and passenger numbers will rise even further when Crossrail services begin. We’re therefore transforming the Tube station – with a new ticket hall, new entrance and step-free access amongst other improvements.
“Central line trains are stopping at Bond Street station again, but in order to carry out this vital work Jubilee line trains will not be able to stop there between Monday 30 June and early December. I apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause, but unfortunately it’s impossible to do this work solely during the few engineering hours when the Tube is closed. The end result will be a much bigger and better station for the hundreds of thousands of customers who use the station each day.”
Richard Dickinson, CEO of New West End Company said, "As a key underground station in London’s West End, the improvements to Bond Street Tube station will provide one of the most important access routes to the area, further enhancing the visitor experience in what is one of the world’s most renowned luxury shopping districts. TfL's plans for Crossrail provide a real opportunity for both shoppers and businesses in the area, and we’re pleased to hear progress has been made so that the Central line will be open for shoppers and visitors for the summer months.”
(Image: Creative Commons)