Bye Bye Blackfriars

For the 44,000 people who use Blackfriars every day, your commute is likely to get worse. In March 2009 the Underground station will close for over two years for a major upgrade. The mainline station will remain open, but the District and Circle line platforms will be closed while the work - which will see the ticket hall and less-than thrilling office above it completely rebuilt - is done. Come 2011, long-suffering passengers can expect a new entrance, a redeveloped Tube station, and for Thameslink trains, a Thames-straddling station, one whose construction will utilise the disused piers and totally ruin our plan for modern art.