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Friday 18 Dec 2009

NEW WEST HAMPSTEAD THAMESLINK STATION APPROVED

Region & Route:

| Southern

The redevelopment of West Hampstead’s Thameslink station took another major step forward last night after Camden council gave Network Rail the go-ahead to build a new, ‘green’ station building.

The new entrance on Iverson Road will increase passenger capacity, ease congestion and improve the interchange with West Hampstead Overground and Underground stations. The project will also complete the new footbridge installed earlier this year, allowing step-free access to all platforms. Both the station and footbridge will be fully operational by late 2010.

Alongside the new building, Network Rail will also make significant improvements to the pavement along Iverson Road and onto West End Lane – providing vital extra room for pedestrians and a new landscaped streetscape on Iverson Road.

A tree-lined walkway, incorporating existing mature trees and including new cycle racks, will offer a much wider footway and provide a more pleasant experience for people arriving and departing from West Hampstead Thameslink station. In addition, the removal of two commercial units owned by Network Rail on the corner of Iverson Road and West End Lane will eliminate a notorious pedestrian pinch-point and help improve the safety of the junction for pedestrians. 

Jim Crawford, Network Rail’s Thameslink major programme director, said: “The congestion-busting Thameslink upgrade will give passengers what they want – longer trains, more seats and better stations. Our plans for West Hampstead Thameslink station and the surrounding area will benefit passengers, residents and the environment. Once complete, the station will be brighter, safer and able to handle the extra passengers that the new, longer trains will bring.”

David Statham, Thameslink Programme director at First Capital Connect, said: “West Hampstead passengers currently have to battle their way down crowded staircases to reach our station and negotiate narrow pavements. The new main station building will provide a second entrance attached to a new easy-access footbridge to create an interchange the community deserves. This is just part of the massive programme of work that is well under way on the Bedford to Brighton route giving customers better stations and, ultimately, longer trains.”

Transport Minister Chris Mole said: "The Government is committed to investing in Britains railways and I'm pleased to see work progressing on this £5.5bn programme. Step free access and a bigger, better interchange between Thameslink, Underground and Overground stations will help improve the travel experience for many passengers using these routes each day."

The station building itself will benefit from a ‘living roof’ planted with flowering sedum plants. Sedum provides an attractive environment for insects and birds, absorbs carbon dioxide and helps retain rainwater meaning that no irrigation is needed. As well as reducing the carbon footprint of the building, the living roof will also provide an attractive view from offices and residential properties on Iverson Road.

Network Rail’s proposals are fully integrated with Camden Council’s recently approved plans to improve the streetscape on Iverson Road and West End Lane which will improve the links between the three stations in West Hampstead. On Iverson Road, the council will provide a new pedestrian crossing outside the new station along with improved footways and tree planting. On West End Lane, the footways will be widened and the pedestrian crossings will be improved to make it easier and safer to cross the street.

The project is a key component of the council’s Placeshaping strategy for West Hampstead, which aims to make significant improvements to the area as a whole and to make West Hampstead more pleasant place for residents, businesses and visitors to West Hampstead. Camden Council’s improvements are jointly funded by the council and Transport for London and the project is anticipated to be completed in summer 2010.

Work on the new station is planned to start in late February 2010 with the demolition of Network Rail buildings on the corner of West End Lane and Iverson Road. This releases vital space and makes way for work to start on widening the footpath leading to the new station building. Network Rail has agreed to forgo the future rent it would otherwise receive on these units in order to deliver the improved wider footways for commuters and residents in West Hampstead.

Platform extension works are due to be complete by December 2010, allowing trains to be extended from their current eight car maximum to twelve cars from December 2011. This will be closely followed with the introduction of a completely new fleet of next generation trains entering service from 2015.