London’s rail network has received a new addition to its roster of stations as Barking Riverside is set for drastic improvements in interconnectivity, whilst being supported in the delivery of more than 10,000 new homes. The station first opened to customers, as planned, on 18 July, seeing the likes of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Byford officially celebrating the new station on Monday the 25th July.
Barking Riverside Station forms part of the extended Gospel Oak to Barking Route, offering journeys from the heart of a new public square affording easier and quicker journeys from residents and visitors to the area. The journey times to barking have been drastically cut by more than two thirds, whilst allowing travel to the city in as little as 22 minutes. The station comes as an extension to the railway and compliments the existing bus network, creating a strong public transport link for residents.
The new station comes with clear ambitions of creating more sustainable city travel as walking and cycling are at the forefront of Barking Riverside’s development, with a strong network of footpaths and cycleways being integrated into station designs. Cyclists have been at the forefront of infrastructural designs as the station has cycle parking accessibility for 180 cycles, provided at a dedicated new facility as part of the new station. Creating cycling and walking accessibility with a centralised rail transport system will greatly encourage locals within the area to ditch motor transport, where possible, to utilise the greener travel options.
The Barking Riverside Station will act as an intrinsic part of the local areas rapid development as it has the potential to unlock more than 7,000 homes, adding to around 3,000 that are currently built or under construction. The Northern Bank of the River Thames will become home to an estimated 30,000 new residents, with the station being a centralised hub for the rapid development, attracting people with commuting availability.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“I’m delighted that the new Barking Riverside London Overground station recently opened to customers, ahead of schedule.
“Residents will now benefit from a modern, spacious new station and greatly reduced journey times with Barking just seven minutes away – I’m pleased to say that the station is also fully step free.
“This fantastic development provides high quality transport links for residents and over 10,000 new homes in Barking Riverside, 50 per cent of which will be genuinely affordable.
“I am absolutely focused on doing everything I can from City Hall to build a better London for everyone – a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners - and this latest addition to our transport network and development is a key part of that.”
Want to know more about the opportunities to become a key supplier to the UK rail industry? Attend TransCityRail and access an exclusive marketplace of buyers from Network Rail, HS2, Train Operators, Major Contractors, and all other tiers of the supply chain. For more information and to secure your place click here.
