25.11.08
Tottenham Court Road station redevelopment moves closer
The redevelopment of Tottenham Court Road station has moved a major step closer as Crossrail issued property acquisition notices which will allow main construction works at the station to begin in January 2009.
By 2017, Tottenham Court Road will be one of the most important stations in the West End serving both London Underground and Crossrail. Starting next year, Tottenham Court Road will be extensively redeveloped to create an expanded Tube ticket hall six times larger than at present and for high-frequency Crossrail services.
The secretary of state for transport has appointed Cross London Rail Links Ltd (CLRL), the company responsible for delivering the railway, as nominated agent for the acquisition of property.
To enable the major redevelopment of the station, a number of properties will need to be compulsorily purchased and demolished. The affected properties were named in the Crossrail Bill when it was deposited in 2005. All those with an interest in the properties were advised and were able to object. Legal powers were gained with the Royal Assent of the Crossrail Act in July 2008.
CLRL has published a notice of intention in the London Gazette to make general vesting declarations affecting 13 properties around Tottenham Court Road station. Individual letters have also been sent to owners of the affected properties and their tenants. Possession of the 13 affected properties is expected in January 2009 when compulsory purchase orders take effect and affected properties transfer to the secretary of state.
Early construction works for Crossrail will commence in 2009 with main construction beginning in 2010. Crossrail is scheduled to open for service in 2017. It will run 118 km from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21 km tunnels under central London out to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, joining the Great Western and Great Eastern railway networks.
New stations, able to accommodate ten carriage trains, will be built at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Isle of Dogs and Woolwich.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]