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Thursday 6 May 2010

SKY'S THE LIMIT AS LANDMARK KING’S CROSS CONCOURSE TAKES SHAPE

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Network Rail’s £500m redevelopment of King’s Cross station has taken a giant step forward with the installation of the first pieces of steel for the roof of the new western concourse.

The two beams mark the starting point of the steel funnel which will support the main roof structure of the semi-circular concourse. Three-times the size of the existing 1970s building, the new concourse will dramatically improve the experience of passengers using the station, with new shops and restaurants and improved step-free access to the Underground and St Pancras International.

Ian Fry, King’s Cross project director, said: "King’s Cross is being transformed into a world class transport hub which can meet future demand and offer the best facilities for passengers. This is a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the station. The new western concourse will be a true London landmark, instantly recognisable to visitors from home and abroad."

With passenger numbers expected to rise to over 50m in the next 10 years, and to cope with the influx of visitors for the 2012 Olympics, it is vital the station is transformed to meet growing passenger demand.

By 2013, passengers will experience a completely rejuvenated King's Cross station with more capacity, an additional platform for extra services and improved links with international and domestic services from St Pancras International and the Underground.

The grade 1 listed façade will also be restored to its former glory by demolishing the current single-storey concourse extension, creating a stunning new open piazza larger than Leicester Square at the front of the station. Network Rail recently appointed leading London architects Stanton Williams to work with them on the design of the new public square.