Protecting & Conserving Heritage

Redeveloping Blackfriars station

Protecting and conserving heritage

Blackfriars station was extensively remodelled to provide a new shared entrance concourse for mainline and underground services, extended platforms spanning the Thames below a new roof, and a new South Bank entrance.

Heritage features preserved

Heritage features which were preserved in the redevelopment of Blackfriars Station and Bridge included:

Iron columns

Iron columns from the demolished train shed were sent to a Welsh rail museum.

Destination stones

The 54 “Destination Stones” displayed on the former concourse which indicated locations around Europe once served by the original London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR) were refurbished and are now displayed on the new concourse. The stones listed destinations as diverse as Bickley, Marseille, Gravesend and Venice plus other European cities which could be accessed via cross-channel steamers.

Southern abutment

The Listed Southern Abutment was remodelled to accommodate the widened rail bridge and the historic, painted cartouches were refurbished and re-sited atop the abutment.

Rail viaduct

The rail viaduct running north into the city was clad in zinc panels to screen signal and power cabling and provide an enhanced setting for the adjacent grade ll* listed Black Friar pub.

The railway boundary leading north into the Apothecaries Conservation Area was enhanced with a new, stock brick wall to replace the old hoardings. The quality of workmanship was particularly commended by the City Conservation Officer.