The main tunnelling work that will add a new platform, more escalators and a travolator to Bank tube station has now been completed, TfL has announced. The tunnelling, which forms part of the programme to expand the size of the station by 40 per cent, has seen more than 1.3km of tunnels constructed since May 2017.
When completed, a new tunnel and travolator will link the Northern and Central lines and new escalators will link the DLR to the Northern line and direct up to street level. The project will also deliver two new lifts, improving accessibility to the Northern and DLR platforms.
The biggest change will be on the southbound Northern line though, where an entirely new larger tunnel is being dug next to the current tunnel — and the existing platform and tunnel will have the tracks filled in to be turned into a large concourse area.
Northern line concourse (c) TfL
As the new southbound tunnel is right next to the old tunnel, and the two need to be linked together, a number of doors have been appearing in the tunnel walls over the past year.
Bank station Northern line platform (c) ianVisits
Part of the tunnelling work saw the project team cut through deep-level piled foundations of one building, which required careful excavation and the installation of a new load-support system to support the existing foundations while still allowing a tunnel to pass through them. By the end of winter, the civil work on the new station entrance on Cannon Street will also be completed, with work on the new platforms also well underway.
Stuart Harvey, TfL’s Director of Major Projects, said: “Bank Tube station is a crucial link between many lines and is one of the busiest interchanges on the Tube network. Work restarted on site again in May and this is a huge milestone for the project. Once completed, there will be more space underground for customers to change from one line to another making journeys quicker and more comfortable for those travelling into the City.”
Late next year, the Northern line Bank branch will close for several months so that they can slice the new tunnel into the old and connect the railways. That’s currently expected to take place between October 2021 – January 2022 – presuming there are no more covid related delays.
Once completed, most of the upgrade will be opened to the public, with a new entrance on Cannon Street expected to open in 2022.
To see photos from early Bank station upgrade tunnelling works – go here.
Northbound Northern line platform (c) TfL
I wonder if they will ever update those stations at the southern end of the line which have those narrow island platforms? I always hated using them.
You mean Clapham North and Clapham Common?
They’re not congested enough to warrant the extensive rebuild. That was indeed the official response TfL gave to a London Assembly question which asked the same question.
I expect those stations will only ever be rebuilt if/when step-free access is mandated and TfL are forced to rebuild them.
As a Clapham resident, the narrowness of the platforms doesn’t really bother me. The lack of lifts when travelling with heavy luggage however does.
At least it’s not being halted and delayed just like Crossrail. It’s good to see improvements being made at Bank station that is very busy especially at rush hour. Keep up the good work TfL.
Hard to envisage what this will feel like, after 30+ years of using the current station – a bit like TCR, one will soon discover the short cuts and the ways to circumvent Tfl’s signage that send you the long way deliberately…
Ian are you able please to say which buildig’s foundations were cut through? Ta