Transport for LondonNext steps
Asbestos removal
May 2007 - December 2008
Before we can start the upgrade work we have to remove asbestos. It's safe but there may be some station disruption such as
We are removing the asbestos now to avoid delays when we carry out the station improvements
- A temporary ticket office
- A series of hoardings around the station
- Possible closures - these will be advertised well in advance
- Changes to your route through the station - new signage will direct you.
What is happening and why?
We are removing the asbestos now to avoid the risk of delays and unplanned closures during the main construction works.
A programme of work to survey for asbestos in the station was carried out between December 2006 and February 2007. This was required so that any asbestos could be identified and dealt with safely before the major work relating to the Victoria Station Upgrade begins.
Is it safe?
Yes, all of London Underground's asbestos removal programmes are carefully planned and are conducted by specialists to ensure there is no safety risk to our customers, staff or local residents. In the meantime, the asbestos will remain undisturbed and in this state is safe.The air in Victoria is regularly monitored for asbestos fibres and the removal works will also involve a rigorous regime of air monitoring.
How long will it take?
The asbestos removal work started in the District & Circle line areas of the station in late May 2007 and the whole station will be completed by December 2008.
Asbestos removal is highly specialised and needs to be carried out under strictly controlled conditions. This needs careful planning to minimise disruption and above all to ensure that safety is preserved at all times.
The scale and complexity of the works require a period of approximately 12 to 18 months to complete.
How will this affect use of the station?
The asbestos will be removed in a series of phases. Each phase will focus on a particular area of the station and each working area will be sealed.
The ticket office in the main ticket hall closed in December 2007. A temporary ticket office is located outside the station on the National Rail forecourt. This will allow larger areas of the main ticket office to be sealed off and subsequently speed up the overall programme.
The rest of the station will stay open for much of the removal programme as the work will be carried out at night when the station is closed. However, some of the work will require longer periods of closure and we are looking at a number of options, including making use of closures already planned for the Victoria line upgrade.
Closures and alternative routes for customers will be publicised well in advance.
Planning and legal approvals
2007 - 2009We have submitted an application to carry out the works to the Secretary of State for Transport. This is called a Transport and Works Act Order application (TWAO).
Our application was submitted to the Department for Transport on 22 November 2007 and includes a series of plans and documents.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that there will be a public inquiry into the VSU proposals. As part of this process, we submitted our Statement of Case (PDF 235KB) to the DfT on 27 March 2008.
The Secretary of State for Transport has appointed Mr Ken Barton as Inspector. He will open the public inquiry at 10:00 on Tuesday 28 October at Westminster City Hall, Storeys Gate, London SW1H 9NH.
Further information on the inquiry can be found on the inquiry website or by contacting
Mr Graham Groom
Persona Associates
West Point
Springfield Road
Horsham
West Sussex RH12 2PD
Tel: 01403 219899
We have submitted a Supplementary Environmental Statement and supporting documents, to take account of recent changes to the scheme, to the DfT on 5 August 2008.
Once the necessary consents are secured, construction is estimated to take around seven years.
Construction
2010 - 2017
Any closures will be planned to minimise disruptions
The work will be planned so disruption in the area is minimised, Victoria Station remains operational and public safety is maintained.
As the design develops, some temporary closures of the Underground station and surrounding roads may be necessary. However these will be planned to minimise impacts to customers, local residents and businesses.
We will discuss and agree all closures with the appropriate authorities and will publicise them well in advance along with alternative travel arrangements.
The majority of work will be below ground level but the new ticket hall will require a new entrance in Bressenden Place. The enlargement of the existing ticket hall will require changes to the existing entrances at the front of the National Rail station.
Consultation
Ongoing
In addition to regular meetings and briefings with key stakeholders, we will provide progress updates for local residents and other stakeholders. We also held public exhibitions in May and July 2007 to provide an opportunity for people to view and comment on the proposals.
