Bank Tube station gets green light for major upgrade
Transport for London has been given the green light to "dramatically transform" Bank Tube station, with work beginning in the new year.
But before you groan and start planning your alternative route, there is good news: the station will remain open throughout the work, which is expected to be completed in 2021. That's not to say there won't be some disruption, but let's face it, it could be a lot worse.
The £563m upgrade will increase capacity at the station – the third busiest in London, used by more than 52m passengers each year – by 40 per cent.
"Improving the station is critical to keep London working and growing and is a key step in TfL’s future plan to increase frequency on the Northern line," said TfL.
Here's how it's expected to look.
"TfL will ensure the majority of construction work takes place below ground to minimise construction impact on the historically significant site, which is bordered by 31 listed buildings," it added.
Modernisations will include a new railway tunnel and platform for the Northern line that will reduce interchange times and create more space for passengers; step-free access to the Northern line and DLR platforms; more direct routes, with two new moving walkways; three new lifts and 12 new escalators and a new station entrance in Cannon Street.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: “Bank is a vital interchange for passengers and it is crucial that the station is able to keep up with the increasing demand placed on it.
"These exciting plans will completely transform the station, making it more accessible and much easier for everyone to use. It’s great news for the tens of thousands who use the station every day that these plans have been approved, and is another major step in our work to transform the network and support our growing capital.”
Nick Brown, managing director of London Underground, added: “This critical and ambitious station upgrade will create a new southbound Northern line railway tunnel and platform to vastly reduce interchange times."
This comes on top of other development work, which will create a new entrance to the Waterloo & City line.