Passenger groups tour Blackfriars

Rail user groups representing Thameslink route passengers have been visiting the Blackfriars station work site over the past fortnight.

Members of the Bedford Commuters' Association, Association of Public Transport Users, Brighton Line Commuters and Hassocks Amenity Association Rail Group, went behind the hoardings to see for themselves the massive rebuilding project.

Fact finders: Network Rail project director Lindsay Vamplew (facing us in the right-hand photo) explains the project work to committee members of the APTU behind the hoardings at Blackfriars station. It was one of four groups to tour the massive work site that included Hassocks Amenity Association Rail Group (left photo)

The groups also wanted to understand why Blackfriars has to close for eight weeks from 20 November 2010, during which time trains will run through the station to the normal timetable but not stop.

When the station reopens on 17 January 2011, trains will begin calling at the first section of the new station on the east side, allowing contractors to start rebuilding the west side.

Network Rail is doing as much work as possible up front to build a new platform on the eastern side and a new section of track taking train services along that side of the bridge. However, there will come a point on 20 November when contractors cannot go any further without removing the platform footbridge and north end of platform 4 which will be in the way.

This is why the station has to close - there will simply be no way for customers to get on and off or even around the station.

The station, with much-improved connections to the Tube and the new south entrance, will be ready for the first 12-carriage services in December 2011 with more to come on stream as rolling stock becomes available. The entire station should be completed in time for the Olympics.

Click here to find out more about the eight-week station closure.

To contact the Bedford Commuters Association, contact Arthur Taylor at admin@bedfordcommuters.org.uk
To contact the Association of Public Transport Users, contact Neil Middleton at aptumail@aptu.org.uk (www.aptu.org.uk)
To contact the Brighton Line Commuters, contact Shelley Atlas at commuters@blcmailbox.wanadoo.co.uk
To contact the Hassocks Amenity Association Rail Group, contact Catherine Cassidy at rccass1dy@aol.com