Bigger and better east London station officially unveiled after major transformation: 414A1492

Thursday 24 May 2018

Bigger and better east London station officially unveiled after major transformation

Region & Route:
Eastern: Anglia
| Eastern

A new look Hackney Wick London Overground station was officially unveiled today (Thursday 24 May) by Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chair of Network Rail and London Legacy Development Corporation, delivering major improvements for Londoners and businesses in the surrounding area.

Passengers can get to their trains more quickly and more easily than before with a new underpass, lifts and overall improved access to the station, as part of a £25 million scheme.

The underpass is divided in two, separating passengers and pedestrians, and runs north to south beneath the existing railway line. The passenger side of the underpass is open, which replaces the footbridge and provides access to the platforms. When the public side is fully open late next year, it will provide new pedestrian and cycle links from Wallis Road in Hackney through to White Post Lane in Tower Hamlets.

A new light and airy ticket hall has also been built at ground floor level and new stairwells and lifts provide easier access to the platforms.

Sir Peter Hendy CBE, chair of Network Rail, said: “This is not only a timely investment for the increasing number of passengers who use the station every day, but it’s also a boost to the local economy and community. This upgrade will bring new homes and businesses to the area as well as support the existing ones to thrive even further. Passengers can access services and local businesses more quickly and easily than before and it’s clear to see how this station will play a vital role in the transformation of this area of east London.”

Rosanna Lawes, Executive Director of Development at London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “The redevelopment of Hackney Wick Station forms the first phase part of the overall delivery of a vibrant new mixed-use neighbourhood centre for the area. Over the coming years, we will work with Tower Hamlets Council and Hackney Council to deliver Hackney Wick Central; a new development providing low cost studios, new employment space, retail and community facilities, and around 900 new homes.

“It’s fantastic to see the Wick’s industrial heritage in buildings and the waterways reflected in the design of the revamped station, which will serve not only the existing community but all those attracted to the new homes and jobs being created.”

Jonathan Fox, TfL’s director of rail and sponsored services, said: “The redeveloped, fully accessible station at Hackney Wick is a welcome addition to our network supporting this growing community and providing easier travel for those visiting and living or working in the area. Since its launch in 2007, the London Overground has helped breathe new life into the communities it serves and I am sure it will do the same for Hackney Wick with this much improved station. At the heart of the community, it will support growth in both new homes and businesses locally and make it easier for people wanting to travel to the area to make the most of the bustling social scene.  Our staff are looking forward to welcoming both new and existing customers to their fantastic new look station.”

Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney, said: “Our investment in this fantastic new station will mean better services, facilities and access for residents and businesses in Hackney Wick, who for too long have felt cut off between the A12 and the canal.

“An improved station is also key to our plan to bring new homes and affordable workspace for existing businesses to the Wick, creating hundreds of new jobs and ensuring the area’s heritage at the heart of London’s creative economy continues long into the future.”

John Biggs, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “Hackney Wick Station is a vital part of the transport infrastructure for residents in the north of our borough and I’m delighted the council was able to contribute £1m to its redevelopment.

“The new and improved station stands as a symbol of our commitment to the residents and businesses in Hackney Wick and Fish Island. It is just the start of an exciting programme of measures aimed at delivering new homes and desirable workspaces while protecting the fantastic creative sector at the heart of the community.”

Architects Landolt Brown has designed the subway, drawing on the area’s industrial heritage and waterways to influence the design, and the wall has been designed to look like light reflecting of water.

Network Rail delivered the project as part of the company’s Railway Upgrade Plan, on behalf of the London Legacy Development Corporation who was the principal fund on the project. Tower Hamlets Council and Hackney Council contributed £1m each. The refurbishment of the station is expected to generate opportunities including new jobs, investment and affordable housing. The station forms part of Transport for London’s (TfL) London Overground network. 

Notes to Editors

  • London Overground serves 112 stations
  • It travels through 23 London boroughs, as well as southern Hertfordshire
  • 189 million people used the London Overground in 2016/17, compared to 33 million in 2008/09
  • Network Rail and London Legacy Development Corporation have worked together to develop and deliver the project which has been supported by the Greater London Authority, London Borough of Hackney and London Borough of Tower Hamlets and S106 contributions. London Legacy Development Corporation has worked closely with Network Rail to deliver the project with Volker Fitzpatrick Ltd, Network Rail’s principal contractor. Architects Landolt & Brown designed the station entrance and ticket hall, supported by Mott Macdonald engineering.

London Legacy Development Corporation promotes and delivers physical, social, economic and environmental regeneration in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the surrounding area by maximising the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To date, it has supported a range of projects in Hackney Wick, both temporary and permanent, including Hub 67 and the White Building, which includes studio space for artists and event spaces for community use.

Arriva Rail London

  • Arriva Rail London is the train operating company responsible for running the London Overground network under a Concession Agreement with Transport for London (TfL). The seven and half year concession commenced on 13 November 2016.
  • Working in partnership with TfL, Arriva Rail London will deliver further improvements for London Overground customers through more frequent services, new trains and improved interchanges as well as developing stations and lines to meet increasing passenger demand and to support new homes and jobs.
  • Arriva Rail London is part of the Arriva group, one of the leading providers of passenger transport in Europe. Arriva employs more than 60,000 people and delivers over 2 billion passenger journeys across 14 European countries each year
  • For further information on Arriva Rail London visit arrivaraillondon.co.uk

Contact information

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Latest travel advice
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Media relations manager (Anglia route)
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Katie.Mack@networkrail.co.uk

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We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

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