Subject to planning approval, the development will add a new concourse that is bigger than the pitch at Wembley, which will sit underneath the tracks; and create two new entrances on Tooley Street and St Thomas Street, which will improve links between the areas around the station.
The concourse will be designed in a manner to enable infiltration of natural light. It will feature canopies that will cover the platforms above, creating a pleasant environment for passengers. The renovation will increase the capacity of the station to around two thirds more passengers. Step-free access to all platforms will be provided from the main concourse, making the station easier to use especially for people with reduced mobility, or those with luggage or small children. The number of tracks going through the station will be increased from six to nine and terminating platforms will be reduced from nine to six to enable 18 of the planned 24 Thameslink services per hour to call at London Bridge.
The major aim of the renovation plan is to create a bigger and better station for passengers and enable a more frequent and reliable train service to operate. Combined with changes and improvements to the rail infrastructure around the station, the investment in the area will mark the final phase of the Thameslink programme to deliver longer trains and more frequent services to more destinations.
Network Rail will seek the views of station users, local residents and businesses, before submitting a planning application for the redevelopment. This period of consultation will include an exhibition at London Bridge station in the week beginning 16 May 2011.
The project is planned to begin in 2013 and is scheduled to be completed in 2018.
Work is currently underway to improve the station, with the Shard development funding a new bus station that is part of the London Bridge Quarter improvements. It is also delivering a new entrance and upper concourse for the train station. These improvements are expected to complete in 2012.
