Signage reveal signals Brent Cross West’s future opening

The construction of Brent Cross West reached a new milestone this week when the external signs were installed, signalling the future opening of London’s newest main line station, which is expected in autumn this year. 

The bold lettering above Brent Cross West’s eastern and western entrances marks an important step in the journey towards the station’s completion and is a visual signal to those living close by that the Thameslink station will soon be operational.

The four-platform station covers around 7,000 square metres and sits on the Midland Main Line between Cricklewood and Hendon. 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. It will also be able to accommodate the planned West London Orbital (WLO) line in future, which will provide additional cross-London services.

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 is essential to the wider regeneration of the area. Part of the ambitious Brent Cross Cricklewood Regeneration Programme, the new station will provide the gateway to north London’s new park town, Brent Cross Town, which alone will deliver 6,700 new homes and create 25,000 jobs.

Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council, said: “The new Brent Cross West station is fundamental to our plans to transform the local area, creating thousands of new jobs and much-needed new housing. It’s great to see the new external signs signalling the progress of this ambitious project.”

Set amongst 50 acres of green parks and playing fields, Brent Cross Town, which is being delivered in joint venture partnership between Barnet Council and Related Argent, will bring a new high street to Barnet with everything new and existing communities need just a short distance from their homes and workplaces. From leisure facilities and retail to new and improved schools, community facilities and a new satellite campus for Sheffield Hallam University, which is being built next to Brent Cross West’s eastern entrance.

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.

In keeping with Barnet Council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency, Brent Cross Town has pledged to be net zero by 2030. Brent Cross West station is essential to this vision and includes provisions for bike storage and good bus and cycle links to the surrounding area. A new transport interchange is also under construction with three bus routes proposed to stop directly outside the station.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, and Cricklewood Ward Member, added: “We are on a journey with local people, communities and businesses to become a net zero borough. The new station at Brent Cross West is important in helping to achieving this by improving public transport options and offering an environmentally friendly way to connect across the borough and the capital.”

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.”

Brent Cross West is expected to open in autumn 2023, with an official opening date to be announced this summer.

Find the latest news about Brent Cross West at transformingbx.co.uk/brent-cross-west

Photo credit: Barnet Council

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