Plans to bring step-free access and other improvements to South Kensington look set to move forward.
Transport for London (TfL) has announced that Costain will be the design-and-build partner for the project. It's a major milestone for plans that have been rumbling on for years, and a strong indication that change might finally be coming to the west London station.
If there's one station anywhere on the Tube network that desperately needs improving, it's South Ken. Around 30 million people flood in and out each year, yet it has no step-free access. That not only rules out wheelchair users and others who can't manage stairs, it's also a pain for the many museum-bound families with buggies. Bottlenecks are a constant feature of the station, particularly at the Circle/District stairs.
TfL won planning approval for upgrades in 2023, and has taken another two years to get its funding in place. The awarding of this contract is a signal that enabling works should soon begin. Indeed, TfL states that it will have the scheme fully delivered by 2031, the 150th anniversary of the Natural History Museum (though two years later than initially announced).
Among the changes coming to the station:
- Step-free access to all platforms on all lines (Circle/District and Piccadilly)
- A new (well, restored) eastbound Circle/District platform to increase capacity
- Increased ticket hall size, with more gates.
- A new station entrance on Thurloe Street to 'enable much-needed step-free access to the ticket hall, subway and platforms'
- In a separate but coordinated development, by Native Land and Places for London, the curvy 'bullnose' at the front of the station will be rebuilt to four storeys, providing new food outlets and office space. Units on Thurloe Street and the arcade will also be updated, and 50 new homes will be built on Pelham Street.
It's the last parts of the plans that have proved most controversial. The redevelopment would oust existing businesses and greatly alter the outside appearance of the station. However, planning permission is now in place, it looks like the argument has been won.
