London to Bedford – better stations, longer platforms
There’s been huge investment in platforms and stations north of London on the Thameslink route, ready for the introduction of the first 12-carriage trains in December 2011. On 15 December 2011 this work was finished, ahead of schedule. Here’s the low-down on what Network Rail has done:
Bedford
Platforms 1-3 have been extended to 12-carriage length. The extension of platform 1A, that will introduce additional operational flexibility and necessitate the construction of a new station building, has been deferred.
Services had to be reduced to two trains per hour for much of the day on Sundays to allow the work to continue (read about this here).
The first 12-carriage length trains will enter service in December 2011.
Flitwick platforms
Flitwick
12-carriage platforms have been built here and the first 12-carriage length trains will enter service in December 2011.
Harlington
12-carriage platforms have been built here and the first 12-carriage length trains will enter service in December 2011.
Leagrave
12-carriage platforms have been built here and the first 12-carriage length trains will enter service in December 2011.
Luton
12-carriage platforms have been built here and the first 12-carriage length trains will enter service in December 2011.
Flashback: This bridge was moved into place at Luton over Easter 2010 to make space for longer platforms and longer trains. See the time lapse footage.
Luton Airport Parkway
12-carriage platforms have been built here and the first 12-carriage length trains will enter service in December 2011. East Midlands Trains are already using these for their longer services.
Opening ceremony: Luton Airport Parkway was the first station to have its platforms extended
Harpenden
12-carriage platforms have been built here and the first 12-carriage length trains will enter service in December 2011.
The railway bridge here has also had to be widened. Overhead line equipment has been improved with new gantries.
A second footbridge with lifts will also be built to the north end of the station, funded by the Department for Transport’s Access For All scheme.
St Albans
12-carriage platforms have been built here and the first 12-carriage length trains will enter service in December 2011.
Track and overhead line gantries were realigned and signals moved. Read how St Albans' longer platforms were opened by Rail Minister Theresa Villiers.
St Albans station has also received a £5m upgrade, providing:
- Three new passenger lifts providing access to all platforms
- A larger station entrance and ticket office to reduce congestion
- 813 space multi-storey car park, with 13 spaces for blue badge holders
- Additional facilities for cycles and motorbikes
- More CCTV and lighting to increase customer safety and security
- A new low-level ticket counter for wheelchair users
- Additional retail units
Elstree & Borehamwood
The 12-carriage platforms were pre-fabricated and brought in over the weekend of 19/20 March 2011. Find out more.
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New platform: Pre-fabricated and installed in just one weekend
The first 12-carriage length trains will enter service at this station in December 2018, however there will be some reduction in crowding on trains as a result of 12-carriage trains calling at stations further down the line from December 2011.
Separately from the Thameslink Programme, an enhanced bus-rail interchange has been built which makes it easier to use by people with disabilities. It has better lighting, CCTV and more cycle parking.
A project is also in hand under the Access For All scheme to install lifts to all the platforms but this would not be until 2012 at the earliest.
Radlett
12-carriage platforms have been built here. The first 12-carriage long trains will enter service at this station in December 2018, however there will be some reduction in crowding on trains as a result of 12-carriage trains calling at stations further down the line from December 2011.
Mill Hill Broadway
Platforms have been extended at Mill Hill Broadway. The first 12-carriage long trains will enter service at this station in December 2018, however there will be some reduction in crowding on trains as a result of 12-carriage trains calling at stations further down the line from December 2011.
Hendon
The platforms at Hendon are not being extended because there is insufficient demand to warrant 12-carriage trains calling there. However, there will be some reduction in crowding on trains as a result of 12-carriage trains calling at other stations from as early as December 2011.
Cricklewood
The platforms at Cricklewood are not being extended because there is insufficient demand at Cricklewood itself to warrant 12-carriage trains calling there. Furthermore, there is a new station is to be built at Brent Cross as part of a £4.5 billion regeneration scheme and this will be able to take 12-carriage trains.
West Hampstead Thameslink
Platforms have been extended at West Hampstead and the first 12-carriage length trains will enter service in the rush hour at this station in December 2018. However, there will be some reduction in crowding on trains as a result of 12-carriage trains calling at stations further down the line from December 2011.
Work is almost complete on a new station building in Iverson Road which will link to a new footbridge already in position (the footbridge requires power from the new station building and cannot open until the station is finished). This will be completed on 12 December 2011. Read more here.
Glazing time: The new station takes shape at West Hampstead (September 2011)
Find out more about the station scheme.
Kentish Town
Platforms cannot be extended at Kentish Town because of road bridges at each end which cannot be moved. However, there will be some reduction in crowding on trains as a result of 12-carriage trains calling at other stations from as early as December 2011.