Network Rail has taken over the operations at Clapham Junction from South Western Railway which had been running the station.
Although most railway stations are managed by the train operators, some of the major terminus stations are managed directly by Network Rail, including now Clapham Junction.
The reason for the takeover is to enable Network Rail to prepare for an upgrade of the incredibly busy station.
Network Rail says that it is developing options to relieve congestion in the short term and investigating the feasibility of a more significant station redevelopment in the longer-term.
Network Rail will manage the redevelopment project because the potential work would be on such a scale that it may extend beyond the life of South Western Railway’s franchise, from 2017 to 2024.
Although the station is the 10th busiest in London overall, it is the busiest for people swapping between trains, using the often overcrowded footbridge and tunnel.
Network Rail also took over Guildford, where a slightly controversial upgrade plan is currently underway.
Yet TfL now run Stratford!
Well in the case of Stratford, 5 out of the 6 train services available are run by TfL so it really does make sense. The design of Stratford is 100% not fit for purpose though.
Now that Network Rail is Government owned no doubt Government can see billions available in property development on what is a massive site which is in Battersea despite being called Clapham Junction!
A way of relocating those trains that are parked at Clapham Junction for much of the time would allow rail lines to be more concentrated freeing up land on either side for development.
While the station is not really fit for purpose given how it’s one of the largest interchange stations on the network and while it now has lift access it could benefit from having escalators as well and an over site development could include a new station with better access to surrounding area and may include demolition of the banana arches which are not strong enough to support trains .
Crayonista approach would see a new Crossrail style tunnel linking Clapham Junction to London Bridge with Stations at Clapham Junction , a joint Battersea Northern Line / Vauxhall Station , Waterloo Station, maybe southside Blackfriars Station and London Bridge Station then linking to lines east of
London Bridge !
Crossrail 2 will take some of these services but that’s still a decade away at least !
Network Rail has also taken over Guildford Station which is also due a major upgrade and property development…
At least Network Rail does care about railway stations that needs revamping and redevelopment.
And not just major railway stations that have been refurbished recently
Including:
London Bridge
London Waterloo
London King’s Cross
London St. Pancras International
London Liverpool Street
London Paddington
London Blackfriars
Farringdon
Manchester Piccadilly
Manchester Victoria
Birmingham New Street
Liverpool Lime Street
Bristol Temple Meads
Exeter St. David’s
Cardiff Central
Swansea
Newcastle Central
York
Leeds
and many more stations over the years that have been revamped &/or redeveloped.