Thameslink Programme videos
Videos from the 10 years Thameslink Programme, including the redevelopment of London Bridge, Blackfriars and Farringdon stations.
Videos
Transforming Rail Travel Through London
Thameslink Programme has delivered new railway infrastructure, better stations, new trains and led the way in introducing new technology on an expanded Thameslink network. The results will be faster, more frequent and better connected journeys for passengers. This feature-length, 30-minute legacy film explores why it was needed, what has been delivered and how it will benefit passengers for generations to come.
Experience London Bridge Station in 360°
We’ve transformed London Bridge Station to make it more accessible for everyone.
Take a look at the improvements through this 360° video experience.
Expanding the Thameslink network
Thameslink now offers new journey opportunities on an expanded network and better connections to airports. The increased capacity on the central London Thameslink route will enable Thameslink services to act like an alternative Tube line delivering trains every 2-3 minutes through central London. New routes, services and destinations will be introduced gradually over the next few timetable changes to maintain a reliable service for passengers while the improvements are introduced.
London Bridge station opening
London Bridge station was officially reopened by Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge on 9 May 2018. His Royal Highness unveiled a ceremonial ‘sleeper’ to mark the completion of the improved station after arriving on a new Siemens Class 700 Thameslink train alongside Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP and Mark Carne, Chief Executive of Network Rail. A week of opening celebrations also included a treasure hunt for local school children, public film screenings and live music in the station.
‘Me. Here. Now.’ – a new public artwork at London Bridge station
An ambitious new public artwork is helping to transform a previously unwelcoming, polluted cut through for traffic as part of Thameslink Programme’s reconstruction of London Bridge station. Leading contemporary artist Mark Titchner’s ‘Me. Here. Now.’ adorns the new Stainer Street walkway which connects the Bankside and Bermondsey communities around Britain’s fourth busiest station.
Thameslink Programme station and infrastructure works: nine years in 90 seconds
Since 2009 London Bridge and Blackfriars stations have been upgraded, connections to Farringdon improved and platforms extended at outer stations. Thameslink Programme has installed new track and signalling while bringing new tunnels into use – to connect more places more effectively while handling more passengers.
Blackfriars Bridge and station time-lapse: June 2009 to January 2013
The first station to span the River Thames, Blackfriars now offers passengers longer trains, more frequent services and easier connections to the underground. There is also a new entrance on the south bank while lifts and escalators provide step-free access to both banks of the Thames. The station also includes the world’s largest solar bridge with over 4,400 photovoltaic panels, enough to cover 23 tennis courts.
Farringdon station time-lapse: March 2009 to May 2012
Farringdon has been expanded to handle the increase in Thameslink passengers. With the opening of the Elizabeth line, Farringdon will become London’s newest transport hub connecting north, south, east and west.
Borough Viaduct time-lapse: November 2009 to November 2011
The new Borough Viaduct on the western approach to London Bridge station was built in 2011, and has been in use by Southeastern services since January 2016.
Bermondsey Dive Under time-lapse: November 2013 to March 2018
Bermondsey Dive Under is a major new junction similar to a motorway flyover. It allows the Thameslink lines from Sussex to cross the lines from Kent unimpeded on their approach to London Bridge station. This has increased the number of Thameslink trains that can serve London Bridge, improving reliability and reducing pressure on the railway which will ultimately reduce delays.
Thameslink Resilience Programme
The Thameslink Resilience Programme team managed a £300m project to significantly increase the resilience of the tracks, signals, tunnels, earthworks, fencing, drainage and traction power. The focus was on ‘hotspot’ sections of the Thameslink and wider South East area including London North Eastern and East Midlands routes, where data showed infrastructure issues were having the biggest impact on performance.