Ken opens West Hampstead Thameslink station

The fabulous new West Hampstead Thameslink station was likened to a John Lewis show home today at its civic opening.

First Capital Connect's Projects Director David Statham made the comment in his speech to invited guests and dignitaries.

"This really is a fantastic station for our customers - it's like a John Lewis show home!" he said.

Ken Livingstone, who is local to the area, then cut a ribbon and declared the station open.

I declare this station open: Ken cuts a ribbon, flanked by (from left) Network Rail's Andy Duffin, Cllr Keith Moffitt and First Capital Connect's David Statham

The station opened to the public at 5.55am on Monday, 12 December

The new station building has been designed to improve access to the Thameslink route train service and improve the interchange with nearby Underground and Overground services.

It will ease congestion and boost capacity for increased use in the future. It links to a new wider footbridge with lifts to all platforms that have themselves been lengthened to accommodate 50% longer 12-carriage trains that enter service in 2018.

The benefits are:

• A new station building
• Greater capacity
• Less congestion
• Two entrances instead of one
• A second, wider footbridge with lifts to all platforms, suitable for people with disabilities
• Fully gated station area, safer and more secure
• Platforms for longer 12-carriage train (arriving in 2018)
• A better interchange with London Overground and London Underground

The station has been relocated to Iverson Road where the railway embankment was built up to widen the pavement from 1.5m to 12m. Incorporating the existing lime trees into this new public space and allowing the station to be seen from the high street, West End Lane, were also central to the new station design. A green tiled wall, designed to reflect the changing colours of the lime trees, has been included to provide an interesting feature, brightening the walkway while also drawing people towards the station.

Ken Livingstone, London Mayoral Candidate said“The new station at West Hampstead will make a big difference to people in terms of easing congestion, catering for the increased capacity on rail services, and helping with access. It will be welcomed by local passengers who use these services every day.”

Andy Duffin, Network Rail Project Director for Railway Systems said: “The opening of West Hampstead Station marks an important day in the life of the Thameslink Programme. We have done an awful lot of work behind the scenes to lengthen platforms and upgrade power supplies. At West Hampstead this has allowed us to transform the station, creating step-free access to all platforms for the first time and relocating the station for an easier interchange.”

David Statham added: “The new station relieves the chronic congestion our customers frequently suffered trying to reach our services and provides lifts to all platforms for people with disabilities, parents with buggies and anyone with heavy luggage.”

“The interchange with London Underground is much easier from Iverson Road and its junction with West End Lane is much safer. This is a real improvement for the local community.”

To mark the opening of the station a local photography competition was organised. The winning six entries now have their photographs displayed on the back of the Iverson Road wall to be seen by everyone who uses the station.

First Capital Connect driver Matt Wallis (second from the right) was selected for his shot "Before the Change" taken on Blackfriars bridge on the last day before the building work there began in March 2009 for the Thameslink Programme.

Thirteen-year-old Gabriel Sayers also submitted a particularly striking entry with "Hand in Hand" which shows his sister's small hand in that of his grandfather.

Before the Change: Driver Matt Wallis' image

The winners of the photography competition were:

1.     Gabriel Sayers, Hand in Hand

2.     Nina Sologybenko, Underground Connection

3.     Mark Adams, Movement 1.

4.     Ian Dovell, Thameslink rail bridges Camley Street

5.     Miguel De Freitas, Iconic London

6.     First Capital Connect driver Matt Wallis, Before the Change