The completion of the rebuilding of London Bridge will herald the end of the Thameslink Programme’s eight-year station upgrade programme, as PHILIP SHERRATT reports
The transformation of London Bridge is nearly complete. On 2 January the rebuilt station will be fully operational, and for the first time passengers will enjoy the whole space of the new 12,000 square metre concourse beneath the platforms, the largest in the UK. Capacity at the station, which is used by 54 million people every year, will be increased by 65%.
The occasion will be historic – not only will it be the first time the terminal and through platforms at London’s oldest terminus have been joined as one, but full completion of London Bridge station later next year will mark the end of the Thameslink Programme’s own station rebuilding works, with those at Blackfriars and Farringdon having been completed in 2012 (see panel).
Since August 2016 passengers have been enjoying a taste of how the new station will look after two-thirds of the spacious new concourse opened. This currently runs beneath the six terminal platforms plus the four through platforms used by Charing Cross services, with new entrances onto St Thomas Street on the south side.
