Press Release

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR KING’S CROSS STATION

20/4/07

Millions of people[1] who use King’s Cross mainline station are set to benefit from the addition of a major new, extended concourse, after planning permission was approved last night.

Camden Council agreed to grant planning permission for the extension and improvements, funded by Network Rail and the Department for Transport to the tune of £400 million.

A new, larger station concourse will be built on the western side of the existing station, close to St Pancras.  It will have extra space for passengers to wait and walk around in, as well as shops, restaurants and cafes.  Large glass areas in the new concourse roof will make the station lighter and brighter for passengers.  The station’s Grade I listed Victorian buildings – including the original southern front façade – will be restored to reflect its importance to national heritage.[2]

When the new extension is completed in 2012 the current temporary concourse[3] facing Euston Road will be demolished.  This will open up space for a new public square, making the area around King’s Cross station a much more pleasant place for people to arrive and meet.  The council, Network Rail and Transport for London will join forces to launch an international competition later this year to find a winning design for a top class public space. 

At least three quarters of a million pounds will be contributed by Network Rail to improve York Way, on the station’s eastern side, for pedestrians.  Network Rail also committed to carry out a feasibility study to investigate further footbridge options, as the station’s operational needs meant that the existing York Way entrance could not be kept.

Camden Council Leader, Cllr Keith Moffitt, said:

“The new King’s Cross will be a station for the future with a modern design that recognises its outstanding past.   Residents and visitors alike will see major improvements to the historic station and its facilities, and a dramatic uplift outside.  The new world-class public square will transform this part of Euston Road, making it more attractive for local residents and existing travellers, as well as welcoming Olympic visitors to our borough and London.”   

Cllr Dawn Somper, Chair of Camden Council’s Development Control Committee, added:

“We wanted to make sure that everyone who uses King’s Cross and St Pancras mainline stations, the underground and the surrounding streets benefits from this development. There are many gains for the millions of people who use the station, plus the enormous restoration project for these grand, historic stations.”

As with many major developments, the application must now be referred to the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State. It is also subject to the legal agreement, called a Section 106, which finalises the benefits secured for the local community and area, and to other conditions set out in the planning report.  For a full copy of the report visit: www.camden.gov.uk/planning

For media enquiries, please contact Alison Birtwell, Press and PR Officer, Camden Council on 020 7974 5719.

Notes to editors

1 King’s Cross St Pancras is one of Britain’s busiest and growing transport interchanges. As well as King’s Cross mainline station serving the east coast line and other domestic services, Eurostar trains will start running from nearby St Pancras in November 2007. The Thameslink connects at King’s Cross and six tube lines pass through King’s Cross St Pancras underground station.  Network Rail expects passenger numbers to increase from more than 40 million a year to 50 million within the next decade.

2 King’s Cross station was designed by Lewis Cubitt and originally built between 1851-2 as the hub of the Great Northern Railway and terminus of the East Coast main line.  When built, it was the largest station in England and is the earliest great London terminus still intact.

3 Dating from 1973, the southern concourse and travel centre were erected on a time-limited permission, which was renewed on a temporary basis pending a permanent resolution. 

There were pre application public consultations in November 2005 and March 2006, as well as public consultations on the planning application in August 2006 and January 2007. The feedback from the first consultation raised concerns about transport, access, some elements of design, and environmental issues such as air quality and water resources. The council discussed these with Network Rail, which led to a revised application in January 2007.