London to Bedford – better stations, longer platforms
There’s huge investment being made into platforms and stations north of London on the Thameslink route, ready for the introduction of the first 12-carriage trains in December 2011. Here’s the low-down on what Network Rail is doing:
Bedford
Platforms 1-3 are to be 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.
Flitwick
12-carriage platforms (construction to start mid 2011)
Harlington
12-carriage platforms (construction to start mid 2011)
Leagrave
12-carriage platforms. Construction is under way and will be completed this year.
Luton
12-carriage platforms. Work is under way. The railway bridge north of the station is being widened to accommodate the new, longer platforms. Find out about work that took place at Easter 2010 and see the time lapse footage.
This bridge was moved into place at Luton over Easter to make space for longer platforms and longer trains. See the time lapse photography here.
Luton Airport Parkway
Platforms have already been extended here and East Midlands Trains are using these for their 12-carriage services.
Harpenden
12-carriage platforms. Work is almost complete. The railway bridge here has also had to be widened. Overhead line equipment has also 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 are due to be completed this summer. Track and overhead line gantries have been realigned and signals moved.
St Albans station has already 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
12-carriage platforms (construction starting this summer).
(Separately from the Thameslink Programme, funding is in place through Hertfordshire County Council, supplemented by the Department for Transport's Access For All scheme, to begin building an enhanced bus-rail interchange this year with features to make it easier to use by people with disabilities. It will include better lighting, CCTV and more cycle parking.
(A project is also being considered 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 (construction starting summer 2011)
Mill Hill Broadway
Platforms have already been extended at Mill Hill Broadway.
Hendon
The platforms at Hendon are not being extended because there is insufficient demand to warrant 12-carriage trains calling there.
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 are being extended and will be complete by the end of 2010, early 2011.
Preparatory work has started for a new station in Iverson Road which will link to a new footbridge already in position; both will open by May 2011. Find out more.
Kentish Town
Platforms cannot be extended at Kentish Town because of road bridges at each end which cannot be moved.
(Separate to the Thameslink Programme, plans are in place to open a new late night exit to the main road for when the Tube is closed. The exit would be lit and covered by CCTV. Today passengers are let out on to a back street. This is subject to funding by Transport for London.)