The construction of the new Brent Cross West station on the Thameslink line in north London reached a new milestone this week when the external signs were installed, signalling the future opening of the station, which is expected in autumn this year.
New station entrance (c) BXC Regeneration Programme
The new is being built about halfway between Cricklewood and Hendon stations and is tied in with a large housing development taking place in the area. When it opens, it will connect passengers from central London to Brent Cross in as little as 12 minutes, with up to eight Thameslink services an hour at peak times.
The new station will also be able to accommodate the planned West London Orbital (WLO) railway in the future, if that railway upgrade goes ahead. Brent Cross West station includes provisions for bike storage and a new transport interchange is also under construction with three bus routes proposed to stop directly outside the station.
The station will also connect the areas of Brent and Barnet via a new overbridge, which will be free to access. A 150-year landmark, it will provide the first pedestrian and cycle access across this stretch of the Midland Main Line since it was first built in the 19th century.
The Brent Cross West station programme is being led by Barnet Council, built by VolkerFitzpatrick, and project managed by Mace, with Network Rail a key programme partner.
It had been expected to open late last year, but that was pushed back to this Autumn, with an official opening date to be announced this summer.
Internal signs (c) BXC Regeneration Programme
Mike Evans, Operations Director for VolkerFitzpatrick, commented: “This is an exciting moment for us to step back and reflect on this substantial and structurally complex build. I want to thank everyone who has been involved with the building of this station – they’ve worked incredibly hard to bring it to this point. It’s a real achievement and has taken great planning, close collaboration, and robust processes to safely coordinate around the existing railway infrastructure.”
The station is also part of a wider regeneration of the area, which will see the shopping centre being doubled in size, plus around 7,400 additional homes being built on the land around the area, which is currently a mix of light industrial and residential.
The signage isn’t in Rail Alphabet 2, but frustratingly the external station name is.
Yep, pretty ridiculous that the ‘new standards’ are not even being rolled out to brand new stations, let alone existing ones.
I’m not au fait with fonts, but even I noticed the mismatch and was going to post the same.
Information on the ‘standards’ here: https://thebeautyoftransport.com/2021/05/26/the-return-of-rail-alphabet-network-rail-wayfinding-signage-and-rail-alphabet-2-part-2/
Will the LU Brent Cross station now be renamed Brent Cross East, to avoid any confusion?
I suspect not as that would be far too logical for London!
Barnet Council weren’t keen on paying TfL £1.4m for that (decided in September 2021).
The existing Brent Cross Station was originally opened in 1923 called just “Brent”. It was renamed in late 1976 to Brent Cross after the shopping centre opened earlier that year. This was despite the station being over one mile from the shopping centre with just the 210 bus linking the two places. Brent Cross West station is a bit nearer, about 3/4 mile from the shopping centre and there are plans to have direct bus links by diverting various existing bus routes. Excellent if you are travelling by National Rail.
Still quite a walk (and not the friendliest walking) to get to the core of the shopping centre, although I expect one of the buses might go to/from the shopping centre,
The station is close to some of the newer shops (outside of the main shopping centre)
The station is primarily there to serve the huge housing development, not the shopping centre.
Shame
Used to live in Barnet and loved the shopping centre – 30 years ago. Would go there from Bedford, changing at Luton/St Albans if Centre is linked to new station with a reliable bus service.
Am I alone in thinking it’s a shame the West London Orbital will not link to the Northern Line?
The problem with that would be the cost, as it would be a completely new section of railway. The West London Orbital as conceived uses existing rail lines so is more likely to be perceived as “Value for Money” and gain approval.
TfL’s proposals have the 189 and 326 running between station and shopping centre.
What about the recycling centre they are building right next to the station and residential buildings with thousands of people living in them? No mention of it because it sure does not sound very appealing and part of a regeneration process to know that a waste facility is being build, to also handle food waste and other rubbish… I am truly appalled and so is everyone else who lives here….
There are a few hundred things happening in the area that an article about one building out of the hundreds being built wouldn’t have discussed.
Anyway, the Brent Cross Waste Transfer Station is barely 100 yards from the Hendon Rail Transfer Station that it’s replacing, and is in a light industrial area that has no local residents.
Girl no one is appalled – I can’t wait! there is no good station links in the area so this is good please
Absolutely dreadful