West Hampstead access for all

West Hampstead Thameslink Station is being transformed as Network Rail installs a fully accessible footbridge with lift access to all four platforms.

The first section was lifted into place on Sunday, 15 March (see picture) and another will follow on Sunday, 29 March. There will be no trains south of Hendon on this day (see 'Heads up!', latest news 3 March 2009)

Network Rail is carrying out the project as part of a Department for Transport, major accessibility scheme under the 'Railways for All, Access for All' programme.

It will have lifts to all platforms and make it easier to interchange with the Tube. It will also ease passenger movement around the station ready for new, longer 12-carriage trains, which will enter service between 2012 and 2015 as part of the Thameslink Programme.

In addition to this scheme, as part of a different Network Rail-led project, a new southern entrance to the station is also likely to be created, leading out from platform four onto Iverson Road. The new station entrance is due to house a ticket office, automatic ticket gateline, retail unit and public toilets.