London’s Bank station to get $840m upgrade

London Mayor Boris Johnson and Transport for London (TfL) have announced that work to transform Bank Tube station will begin in the new year after the plans were given the go-ahead by the UK government.

The $840m upgrade will increase the station’s capacity by 40%, improving accessibility and reducing interchange times.

Bank is used by over 52 million passengers a year, a figure that has risen by 50% over the past 10 years.

The modernisation will include:

• A 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 Docklands Light Railway platforms
• More direct routes, with two moving walkways
• Three lifts and 12 escalators
• An entrance in Cannon Street.

The station will remain open to customers throughout the work.

Dragados, the construction arm of Spain’s ACS Group, is the main contractor on the project.

TfL will ensure that most construction work takes place below ground to minimise the impact on the site, which is bordered by 31 listed buildings.

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, said: "Improving Bank station is at the heart of our multi-billion pound investment programme to improve and expand the Tube."

Over 200 engineers and staff will work on site at Bank 24-hours-a-day until 2021, when the upgrade is due to be completed.