Final approval for the redevelopment of London”s King”s Cross station has taken a major step forward, with news that Camden Borough has approved Network Rail”s ”400m ($800m) plan for the site.
Subject to statutory approval by the Mayor of London, the news will allow work to start on the station that is expected to handle 50m passengers per year during the next decade, making it Britain”s busiest transport interchange.
To accommodate the extra passengers and to gear up for the 2012 Olympics in London, Network Rail says it will build a new platform at King”s Cross, allowing other platforms to be refurbished during the improvements. Further work includes a new concourse that will be three times the size of the existing facility, a new ”6m piazza outside the southern end of the station that will be larger than Leicester Square and a ”0.75m upgrading of York Way near King”s Cross.
The extra platform could provide much-needed increased capacity of between seven and 24 trains during the morning peak period, while disabled access will be improved and the aesthetic aspect given prominence as a result of the glass and aluminium concourse roof.
”Camden”s decision is great news for the millions of people who use King”s Cross,” said Network Rail deputy chief executive, Iain Coucher. ”We have consulted widely with passengers and the local community and as result, we will produce a station that takes renewed pride in its rich history.
”The restoration of King”s Cross fits into wide-ranging plans to upgrade London”s leading stations.”
The awarding of the Olympic Games to London appears to have acted as a real catalyst to the capital”s major termini, with further plans for Euston and Victoria due to be announced, as well as work to upgrade Cannon Street and London Bridge due to start soon.