20.03.12
King’s Cross concourse opens
King’s Cross concourse opened to the public for the first time yesterday, showcasing a huge new glass and steel roof structure in the new concourse and improved passenger facilities.
Ian Fry, Network Rail programme director for King’s Cross, said: “The new King’s Cross station is something for everyone to be proud of – and that includes passengers. As the number of people travelling by rail continues to grow, it’s only right that we have the facilities we need to cater for that growth. This stunning addition to the station provides three-times as much space as the old concourse with new shops and restaurants, better transport links and a lighter, brighter environment for everyone to enjoy.”
Keith Jipps, First Capital Connect customer service director, said: “This fabulous development at King’s Cross is great news for our passengers who now have a less crowded, often more direct journey through the station as well as new shops and facilities, and lifts to all areas.”
Tim Hedley-Jones, East Coast stations and property director, said: “We have been working closely with Network Rail and industry partners to transform the station. It is now a superb destination for the 13 million customers who travel with East Coast toLondon.”
The works have provided better lighting, larger destination boards, clearer station announcements, more shops and restaurants and better links with both London Underground and St Pancras station.
The new concourse can be accessed directly from the Tube and for pedestrians fromEuston Road,Pancras Roadand via new arcades on the ground floor of the Great Northern Hotel.
Passengers departing now access the platforms from the new western concourse, either at platform level or by using the new footbridge which extends across the full width of the main station shed and provides lifts and escalator access to all platforms. Passengers arriving at platforms 0 to 8 will leave the station through the existing 1970s concourse, which will be demolished after the London Paralympic Games.
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