TfL have announced the plans to upgrade South Kensington Tube station; they have confirmed they will enable step-free access.
From TfL press release
Development of land around the station will deliver step-free access to District and Circle line, unlocking millions of journeys.
TfL today confirmed plans to transform South Kensington Tube station, which will see the station upgraded and the surrounding land sensitively developed, reflecting its status as an iconic gateway to one of London's most beloved cultural areas.
TfL has selected Native Land as its preferred joint venture partner to develop the land owned by TfL around the station. The development will be respectful to the character of the local area and will provide step-free access to the District and Circle line platforms via a new entrance on Thurloe Street.
The scheme will also improve access to the pedestrian subway leading to local destinations including the Science Museum, Imperial College, the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Make London more accessible
South Kensington Tube station, located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is one of the busiest stations on the Tube network, welcoming over 34 million District and Circle and Piccadilly line customers a year to London's museum quarter.
Improving the station and providing step-free access will support the delivery of the Mayor's Transport Strategy, which aims to reduce reliance on car journeys, encourage greater use of public transport and make London more accessible for all Londoners.
A key part of the development will be the ability to improve the properties around the station including the four storey buildings at 20-34 Thurloe Street, with the potential to create new opportunities along TfL's stretch of land on Pelham Street to Thurloe Square and on the distinctive Bullnose building.
The site also includes the main station entrances through the Grade II listed shopping arcade, which will be preserved and further restored, and a second entrance via the Grade II listed pedestrian subway.
Local community
Subject to contracts, TfL will now work with Native Land and their preferred architecture firm, Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, to develop proposals for the site. Consultation and engagement with the local community will happen later this year.
Subject to planning permission, the development including step-free access to the District and Circle line, could be complete in 2022.
Graeme Craig, Director of Commercial Development Director at Transport for London said: 'It's hugely exciting to be working with partners who are renowned for such iconic and transformative projects.
'Together, we can create a development that reflects its historic legacy and unique setting as a gateway to some of the most important and treasured cultural institutions in the world.
'We look forward to working closely with Native Land, and the community, to bring forward respectful development proposals that generate vital revenue to reinvest in transport and provide step-free access for millions of journeys.'
Quicker, more pleasant journeys
In January 2018, TfL was granted Listed Building Consent by Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, for proposals to upgrade South Kensington station.
Designed by architects Weston Williamson, the upgrade work will include rebuilding a new eastbound District and Circle line platform, and expanding the ticket hall and gate line to facilitate quicker, more pleasant journeys for customers using the station. This work is due to start in spring 2018.
Mark Wild, Managing Director of London Underground, said: 'South Kensington is a vital station for our customers, providing a link to so many of London's world-renowned cultural institutions.
'Upgrading the station will make a massive difference for millions of customers every year. Improving the accessibility of our network is enormously important to both the Mayor and to us, and we are determined to continue to make improvements across London.'
Very special location
Alasdair Nicholls, Chief Executive of Native Land, said: 'It's great to be selected as the preferred partner for this important London project.
'We are keen to work with TfL to progress proposals for a high-quality, mixed-use development which is authentic to this very special location.'
Sir Michael Dixon, Director of the Natural History Museum and Co-Chair of the Exhibition Road Cultural Group, said: 'Today's announcement marks an important milestone in the transformation of one of the world's leading cultural areas.
'Three-quarters of our Museum's visitors arrive at South Kensington station, and it is vital that everyone should enjoy a fitting welcome if we are to realise our vision of making the cultural institutions of South Kensington as accessible and inclusive as possible.
'At the Natural History Museum we have also made this a priority and have recently completed a redevelopment of our own main entrance to allow step-free access - something we are working towards achieving across our site.'
Customers using South Kensington will also benefit from the ongoing transformation of the District and Circle lines, with a new, modern signalling system currently being installed on both lines.
The new system will increase train frequency, provide more capacity and make journeys quicker across 40% of the Tube network, benefitting millions of customers.
Subject to funding and permissions, step-free access - as part of the wider TfL station modernisation plans - could provide step-free access from street to the Piccadilly line platforms by 2025
Also in the news - between the dates of 30th March and 8th April, there will be disruption to the Croydon Tramlink service due to upgrades with the trackwork to deliver an improved service.
From TfL press release
Customers using London Trams can expect a more reliable service following essential track upgrade work which will take place in Croydon this Easter.
This upgrade work will see tracks replaced between George Street and Church Street from Friday 30 March until Wednesday 4 April, and from the junction of Cherry Orchard Road to Addiscombe Road from Friday 30 March until Sunday 8 April.
Throughout the work no tram services will operate as follows:
- Reeves Corner to Sandilands - Friday 30 March until Wednesday 4 April
- East Croydon to Sandilands - Friday 30 March until Sunday 8 April
Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the work.
A replacement bus service will operate between Friday 30 March and Wednesday 4 April between Waddon Marsh and Sandilands tram stops, stopping at Vicarage Road for Wandle Park.
Customers for intermediate stops should use existing bus routes.
Full tram services will resume from the start of service on Monday 9 April.
This work forms part of a wider programme of routine track replacement on the tram network, with the area of George Street from Wellesley Road to the High Street completed last year.
Rory O'Neill, TfL's General Manager for London Trams, said: 'This important track replacement forms part of a wider programme of works designed to provide customers with a more reliable service.
'While some closures will be necessary, we will work 24-hours a day to help reduce the time we need to spend in the area, helping minimise disruption to both residents and our customers.
'I thank you for your patience and ask you to check before you travel this Easter.'
London Trams will also take the opportunity to coordinate some routine maintenance at a number of locations and minimise future impact for customers, this includes platform resurfacing at Wellesley Road and Church Street tram stops.
Here’s a London Bus news update from LOTS:
Several familiar types are fast disappearing. Metroline is down to its last four VPs at Willesden, while London General has just three PVLs at each of Sutton and Merton. That leaves just VP 612-628 at Harrow Weald for route H12 and PVL 405-419 at Stockwell for route 77. Abellio’s big batch of Volvo B7TLs (90** series) is down to the last twenty but that should only last until 17th March when route 172 is lost to Go-Ahead. Also on that date the LDP class Darts on route 225 are due to be replaced by spare E200s. The last Marshall bodied Darts are now the batch used on the 193 in the Romford area.
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