Transport for LondonTimeline of works
We are working to make sure that disruption is kept to a minimum and that you know what's going on.
Timeline of works
| Year | Proposed works |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Construction of new underground structures: tunnels, the new ticket hall and Goslett Yard box |
| 2015 | First new station entrance opens |
| 2016 | Tube station completed |
| 2018 | New Crossrail services begin |
What's ahead?
Now that hugely complex engineering work to reshape the Northern line platform is complete, we will build new access routes linking the platforms to the new ticket hall being built in front of Centre Point.
This will reduce congestion, improve accessibility and provide direct interchange with Crossrail services when they arrive in 2018.
To ensure the platforms could reopen to customers as soon as possible, temporary finishes have been used on the platforms while additional tunnels are dug. As the project progresses the permanent architectural finishes will be installed including the Paolozzi mosaics.
Step-free access to trains will be provided by raised sections of the platforms.
Achieved so far
In 2011, construction included:
- Reshaping the Northern line platform tunnels with the installation of over 1000 tonnes of new steelwork for the tunnel lining
- Excavation of two new shafts to a depth of 30 metres below street level for Northern line escalators
- Excavation of over 130 metres of new station interchange tunnels
- Completion of the long secant piled walls and piled diaphragm walls that form our new underground spaces (over 800 piles in all)
- Construction of large plunge columns for the new Goslett Yard box (the largest of this type ever built in the UK)
- Rebuilding the staircase to station Exit 4
- Strengthening station escalators
Engineering challenges
Engineering constraints mean some construction work can only take place at night
Work started in 2007 as pipes, cables and sewers were diverted and strengthened.
In 2009, buildings on Charing Cross Road were purchased and demolished. (More than 95 per cent of the materials from the buildings were recycled.)
In 2010, our principal contractor, Taylor Woodrow Bam Nuttall Joint Venture, started the main construction work, building a continuous underground wall. This will create large new spaces that will form the upgraded station.
During 2011 the Northern line platforms were closed for eight months to allow the tunnels to be reshaped. A temporary railway was built along the platforms to allow plant and materials to be transported to the working areas.
The existing tunnel rings had to be exposed by breaking out the 100 year old platforms and concrete fill to each individual tunnel segment.
Once the rings were exposed the rings were removed one by one and specially manufactured new segments installed in their place. The new segments have a different profile and create more space allowing for new access routes to be built later in the project.
In total, iron segments from 195 rings in the tunnel lining have been replaced with over 1000 tonnes of brand new specially manufactured tunnel segments.
View of one of the new Central line interchange tunnels
