London Bridge Station redevelopment plans announced

The plans include a new ground-level concourse – bigger than the pitch at Wembley – with entrances on Tooley Street and St Thomas Street.

The revised plans – like the previously approved scheme – include the demolition of the historic South Eastern Railway office building on Tooley Street.

WSP was chosen as lead designer on the project last December, shortly after transport secretary Philip Hammond confirmed funding for the redevelopment which is linked to the Thameslink Programme.

"Passengers want more space, less congestion and a station that is easier to get around in – as well as a better, more reliable rail service," says Martin Jurkowski, Network Rail’s project director.

"Our proposals for London Bridge deliver all these benefits and more."

Network Rail will be seeking the views of station users, local residents and businesses, before submitting a planning application for the redevelopment. This period of consultation will include an exhibition at London Bridge Station in the week of 16 May.

Mr Jurkowski added: "We want to know what people think of our plans and we are encouraging people to find out more, either in person or online."

The five year construction project is planned to get under way fully in 2013 and is scheduled to be completed in 2018.

Although the new concourse will be underneath the tracks and platforms, it will benefit from natural light.

It will also be designed with capacity for around two thirds more passengers than use the station today.

The reconfigured track layout will see an increase in through platforms from six to nine and a reduction in terminating platforms from nine to six.

Work is already under way to improve London Bridge with the Shard and The Place developments funding a new bus station and upper concourse for the railway station to be completed next year.