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Thameslink

What is the Thameslink Programme?

The Thameslink Programme is a £6 billion investment in improved rail infrastructure and new rolling stock. It will deliver more capacity and more journey options for passengers travelling through or to London from the North and South.

Work will take place at over 50 station platforms, with some 4km of additional platform length being constructed (that’s 8 times the length of Brighton Pier and around double the length of the runway at Luton Airport).

Major works will be required in Central London.

The new Blackfriars station has almost been completed, and is the first station ever to span the River Thames, with entrances on both the North and South sides of the river.

London Bridge station currently sees over 100,000 passengers pass through every weekday. This number is expected to almost double by the end of the decade.

The Thameslink Programme will see London Bridge station completely developed, providing a much larger concourse underneath the new platforms which will be the size of Wembley football pitch.

Farringdon station has also seen big changes with longer platforms, a new footbridge, new station roofing and new concourse facilities for both London Underground and National Rail services. Further changes will take place in the future so that passengers can interchange between London Underground and National Rail to the new Crossrail services.

Major track and signalling alterations will take place on the approaches to London Bridge. This will result in far less congestion and will also remove two of the biggest bottlenecks in Europe around the station.

In all the Thameslink Programme will deliver:

50 per cent longer trains across the current Thameslink route;
Many direct services to new destinations on the Thameslink route e.g. Cambridge to Gatwick;
A reduction in overcrowding on the Underground, with three times as many trains travelling between St Pancras International and Blackfriars every hour - an increase from 8 up to 24 by 2018;
New trains across the Thameslink route – an entirely new fleet will be phased in from 2015.

What’s happening at Blackfriars station?

Network Rail is completely redeveloping and extending Blackfriars rail station as part of the Thameslink Programme.

Construction has taken place on both banks of the River Thames plus extensive work on Blackfriars Rail Bridge, helping to create a bright, modern and distinctive station at the heart of London.

This will be the first and only station in the UK to span a river. It features a new station on the South Bank, the first built in this location for over 120 years, and gives passengers direct access to key local attractions such as the Tate Modern and Southbank.

Due for completion in the summer of 2013, Blackfriars railway station already has a number of 12-car trains operating through the station, seeing significantly more trains stopping at the station every hour. The Underground station has also been enhanced as part of this landmark project, delivering a better interchange for passengers.

Blackfriars Underground station re-opened on Monday 20th February 2012 after two years of major works.

What’s happening at London Bridge station?

The plans for London Bridge station include improved track layout and a new, modern station. This will complete the modernisation of this area of London after other changes such as the Shard, London Bridge Quarter and Borough Market.

The programme will be delivered in phases, keeping the station operational throughout construction.