Friday, March 29, 2024
- Advertisement -
Home Infrastructure Network Rail start £2.6m revamp of Balham station, making it fit for...

Network Rail start £2.6m revamp of Balham station, making it fit for the 21st century

Extensive improvements are being made across Balham station which serves as an interchange for train and tube services across south London and beyond.

Work has started on a face-lift of Balham station which is due to end in Spring 2021 and will focus on improving several features of the station, including:

  • Platform canopies – new sheeting will be installed
  • Canopy gutter – new galvanised steel system will be added
  • Platform tactile paving to be replaced with latest version
  • Platform surface drainage system will be replaced with a brand-new system
  • Existing station drainage system will be replaced with an updated version

The station first opened in 1856 as Balham Hill and was actually situated on the west side of Balham High Road. It was re-sited in 1863 to its present location as part of works to widen the line and improve the route between East Croydon and London Victoria station.

Advertisement

Further remodelling of the line was undertaken in 1890 and 1897 to increase capacity and after several name changes, reverted to Balham in 1969. Since then, the station has been developed throughout the years but these new upgrades will make it fit for the 21st Century.

The station also has a high brick wall along Balham Station road, on which are four cold cast bronze reliefs – “Impressions of Balham” which depict local residents.

Paul Harwood, regional investment director for Network Rail, said: “The project at Balham station will bring a range of benefits to passengers and improve their travel experience. Station users can expect to see these works completed early next year, and they will also include vegetation clearance from the surrounding area and station cleaning.

“These improvements will ensure we can continue to provide a railway which meets the needs of passengers, well into the future.”

Chris Fowler, Customer Services Director for Southern and Gatwick Express, said: “On behalf of our customers, we welcome Network Rail’s wide-ranging renewal of station structures at Balham. Though some are unseen by passengers, all are important for their comfort and safety. We’ve refurbished the accessible toilet as part of our own network-wide, multimillion-pound station improvement programme, which will also provide new seating and a platform shelter here once the current work is complete.

“Throughout this work, our passengers can travel with confidence as we continue our stringent cleaning regime in stations and on trains.”

Photo credit: Network Rail


For today’s rail news from railbusinessdaily.com click here.

image_pdfDownload article

Most Popular

DRS takes delivery of 25 new JNA-Z box wagons from VTG Rail UK

Direct Rail Services (DRS) has taken delivery of a fleet of 25 brand new JNA-Z box wagons from VTG Rail UK, the country’s leading...

SYSTRA employee named one of Planner Magazine’s Women of Influence 2024

The Planner Magazine has selected Jenny Jefferies, Technical Expert - Consents at SYSTRA, as one of its Women of Influence for 2024. Jenny, who is...

ORR review leads to 50 per cent reduction in maximum fees for ticket refunds

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has announced that, thanks to new rules, the maximum fee that train operators and ticket retailers can...

East West Rail to hold drop-in events ahead of statutory consultation

East West Railway Company (EWR) will hold a series of information events in May, helping people to understand how the formal application process to...
- Advertisement -