Transport for London announce London Bridge Northern line branch reopens 16 May

Transport for London have today announced that major work on Bank station is almost complete and the London Bridge branch will reopen in 16 May.

It’s is a boon for those in south east London who’ve been unable to connect to the Northern Line over the past few months at London Bridge as major work was carried out to increase the size of Bank station and improve accessibility.

Other benefits of the £700 million project include a new Bank station entrance at Cannon Street for those connecting from Southeastern rail services.

The new entrance isn’t that much closer (if at all) than others but it all adds to the choice and reduces congestion.

For me the reopening is a relief, as I need to use the branch to connect from a gig in Camden to the very last train out of London to visit a friend in a couple of weeks.

I was slightly sweating having bought the rail ticket, but now it is I *should* just about make the connection using the Northern Line as long as I hover by the doors during the encore.

Station rebuild

A huge rebuilding program of Bank station has been ongoing beneath the streets of the City for years now to create brand new platforms, railways tunnels and passages to ease the chronically overcrowded Bank station.

Some say it’s not needed now given a reduction in passenger numbers – but I’d wager in 20 years nobody will be saying that – and constructing the expansion recently while borrowing rates were ultra low gives a long-term benefit for decades ahead.

Transport for London state:

By 2022, the interlinked stations will feature several new escalators, a new station entrance and more room for Northern line passengers. This will increase capacity at the station by 40%.

A new lift provides step-free access from the DLR and Northern line to street level.

The reopening comes a little more than a week before Crossrail opens on 24 May. For me, and many, many others, these projects will greatly improve public transport in the capital.

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