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What does this planning decision mean? The decision means that Camden Borough Council supports Network Rail's application. The decision is subject to further statutory approval by the Mayor of London. When was King's Cross built? King's Cross was originally designed and built as the London hub of the Great Northern Railway and terminus of the East Coast Main Line. It was constructed from 1851 to 1852, on the site of a former smallpox hospital. How many people use King's Cross station each year? King's Cross is already one of the busiest transport interchanges on the rail network with over 40 million passengers a year, rising to 50 million within a decade. The station links services from Edinburgh, Newcastle and the east coast to six different underground lines (Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith and City lines), Thameslink, and the domestic and international services from neighbouring St Pancras station. What are the key features of the new station? - Environmentally-friendly power - renewable energy sources will be used at King's Cross to reduce its carbon footprint - Improvements to the local environment - as well as redeveloping the station itself, Network Rail will spend over GBP6million to create a major new public piazza space outside the southern end of the station which will be larger than Leicester Square. In addition, at least GBP0.75 million has been set aside to pay for improvements to York Way - Job creation - the equivalent of almost 400 jobs will be created as a result of this work and Network Rail is working with surrounding local authorities to support training and employment for people in the local community. - Wider economic and community benefits - King's Cross has been identified by the Mayor's London Plan as an area of potential growth. Network Rail is working closely with local authorities and neighbouring developers (London and Continental Railways, and Argent plc) so that plans for the station support this wider development. Network Rail will also support a number of local community groups throughout this project. How long has the planning application taken? Network Rail submitted a planning application for King's Cross station in July 2006. This followed a period of public consultation to establish people's views on the best approach for the station. What are the benefits for passengers from the new design? Network Rail's central concern at King's Cross is to create a World Class station for the millions of people who use it. We will: - Triple the size of the concourse area, providing room for current and future passenger numbers and more shops for people to use whilst waiting for trains - Make the station lighter and more pleasant, as a result of the glass and aluminium concourse roof - Improve access, including for disabled passengers, as well as links to underground, Thameslink, and domestic and international services. - Increase train capacity by building an additional platform which could deliver between 7 and 24 more trains during the morning peak period. The platform will also significantly reduce any service disruption during construction What else is Network Rail doing to improve London stations? We are unlocking the commercial potential at our main London stations in order to invest the proceeds in passenger benefits. Shortly we will be announcing plans for Euston and Victoria stations and work to upgrade Cannon St and London Bridge begins soon. Also we are working with stakeholders to develop plans for Waterloo.