Bank Station Re-Opens

Today the first phase of the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade (BSCU) completes, with new, wider platforms serving Northern Line southbound services, connecting to a new capacious concourse, being brought into public use for the first time.  Three new passageways provide better connectivity, improved travel times and more intuitive wayfinding, improving the experience for Northern line users.

BSCU will increase the station capacity by 40% upon completion later this year. The remaining works to be completed include provision of step-free access to the Northern line, improved access to DLR platforms, interchange time improvements through two new travellators, 12 new escalators and 2 new lifts to enhance accessibility. These additions will provide direct routes within the station, improving links between the Northern and Central lines, and connect with brand new station entrances on Cannon Street/King William Street.

WilkinsonEyre developed the design through concept and detail stages as part of the Dragados team, with construction work starting on site in 2017.  The practice has remained part of the project team throughout the construction period, helping to maintain and deliver the original vision for the architectural design.

The design has been developed to ensure that those using the station feel safe and secure. Circulation spaces are spacious and well illuminated; routes were carefully designed to facilitate natural movements and clear sightlines, eliminating dead ends and recesses. 

WilkinsonEyre worked collaboratively alongside the civil and tunneling engineers to ensure that the proposed works are optimised, reducing the volume of excavation as part of its sustainability strategy.

Image credit - Caroline Teo

“The completion of the first phase will provide an immediate improvement in journey times and customer experience, reducing congestion for passengers using the Northern line platforms. The introduction of spacious passageways to the underground environment will transform the architecture and promote quicker, more intuitive routes through the station and interchange between the different lines served by Bank, and significantly improving accessibility to those lines. The remaining upgrade works are due to complete later this year.” Harsh Lad, WilkinsonEyre’s project Lead Architect