02.09.14
Two new platforms open at London Bridge station
Network Rail has opened two new platforms at London Bridge station as part of the £6.5bn Thameslink Programme.
The work, part of a nine-day closure of the railway, was completed on time. More than 1,200 engineers worked around the clock to bring the two new platforms into service, lay new track and install a state-of-the-art signalling system. A triple-track Victorian bridge on the approach to the station has also been rebuilt.
The rebuilding of the station is a big part of Thameslink, intended to increase capacity and reliability on one of Europe’s busiest rail routes. The two new platforms (12 & 13) are wider to give passengers more space, and longer to accommodate 12 car trains. Two old platforms (10 & 11) have also been taken out of service and demolished to create space for new lines that will increase the number of trains able to travel onwards to central London.
Simon Blanchflower, Network Rail's major programme director, said: “The huge amount of work we have completed in the last nine days is an essential part of the jigsaw that will eventually give passengers new more spacious trains running at tube like frequency through central London, and connecting them to more destinations that ever before.”
When completed in 2018 Thameslink will give passengers new, spacious trains running every two to three minutes through central London at peak times. It will also expand the Thameslink network including Cambridge and Peterborough.
The next period of service changes begins on 20 December at London Bridge, when another part closure is needed to bring two more platforms into service. In January 2015 work to start the rebuild of the second half of the station will begin with longer term service changes commencing.
Rail minister Claire Perry said: “Thameslink is a key feature of the record levels of investment we are making in our railways as part of our long-term economic plan.
“Last week I visited London Bridge and saw for myself how hard everyone in the Thameslink family has worked to reach this major milestone. I know this work has disrupted passengers’ journeys and I would like to thank them all for their patience while this important work was underway. Once the Thameslink project is completed it will transform travel across London and the south east for hundreds of thousands of passengers who travel into the capital every day.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]