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Notes to editors

Transformation of London Bridge

The complex, five year construction project, is planned to get underway fully in 2013 and is scheduled to be completed in 2018. Features and benefits include:

• A new concourse at street level, with entrances on Tooley Street and St Thomas Street. As well as improving access to the station, this will help continue the regeneration of the surrounding area by better connecting north and south
• The concourse will be filled with natural light, that will come through the canopies that will cover the platforms above, making a more pleasant environment for passengers
• Step-free access to all platforms from the main concourse, making the station easier to use – especially for people with reduced mobility, or those with luggage or small children
• Space for around two thirds more passengers than use the station today
• An increase in the number of tracks going through the station from six to nine and a reduction from nine to six in the number of terminating platforms. This will enable eighteen of the planned 24 Thameslink services per hour to call at London Bridge.

The Thameslink programme

The Thameslink Programme will relieve congestion across London’s transport network by allowing longer, more frequent trains to run to, and through, the Capital.

The first phase of the programme is on track for completion by mid 2012, and includes new stations at Farringdon and Blackfriars, a new rail bridge at Borough, and longer platforms and station improvements across the route.

The second phase sees the redevelopment of London Bridge station as well as extensive track and signalling work in the area, and is due for completion on 2018.

The government’s commitment to the £6bn Thameslink programme was reaffirmed in November 2010 with the announcement that the full programme, including the purchase of new trains to service the route, would go ahead as promised.