03.04.14
Bond Street modernisation will ‘transform’ access to West End
Major construction work at Bond Street Tube station will start later this month in an effort to modernise and enlarge the station by 2017 – allowing for the expected increase from 155,000 to 225,000 daily passengers going through it when Crossrail arrives the following year.
As part of London Underground’s £10bn programme of continuous improvement, the work is expected to “transform” access to the capital’s West End.
Customers will benefit from quicker and easier journeys as Bond Street station is improved, with a new ticket hall and a new station entrance on the north side of Oxford Street.
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.”
New lifts will make the station “step free” from street to platform, and new escalators are being fitted to handle the increasing number of customers. The modernised Tube station will interchange with the new Crossrail station, enabling customers to access the network via entrances on Hanover Square and Davies Street.
While a lift shaft is constructed as part of the next phase of work, Central line trains will not stop at the station from 23 April until late June 2014. Then, while escalators are inaccessible as part of work to connect the new ticket hall to existing station infrastructure, Jubilee line trains will not stop from early July until early December 2014. On completion of this work, the station will operate on an exit-only basis until the end of 2014 to facilitate further tunnelling works.
Richard Dickinson, CEO of New West End Company, said: “The Bond Street Tube station improvements represent a huge opportunity for London's West End, further enhancing access to the city's renowned luxury shopping area.
“TfL's plans will provide better facilities for shoppers and visitors and will provide businesses with a chance to capitalise on the advantages Crossrail will undoubtedly bring in the future."
It has been advised that when Central line trains are not stopping at Bond Street, passengers should use Oxford Circus or Marble Arch, which are both only a short walk from Bond Street station.
When Jubilee line trains are not stopping at Bond Street, passengers can change to the Bakerloo line at Baker Street, or to the Victoria line at Green Park, and travel to Oxford Circus. Alternatively, local buses to the Bond Street area are available from both Baker Street and Green Park.
In addition, the Central line will be suspended between Marble Arch and Liverpool Street on 5 and 6 April to undertake preparatory work.
(Image copyright Crossrail Ltd)
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