South Kensington is about to undergo a major upgrade.
The Tube station is widely regarded as one of London’s most iconic, with its tunnels extending to the V&A, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum.
The Victorian station, which opened on Christmas Eve in 1868, is the second oldest station in London serving the predecessors of the Metropolitan and District lines. It’s since been expanded to also serve the Circle and Piccadilly lines.
A £1,200,000,000 upgrade, which has been in the works for several years, is finally going to start this year after Transport for London (TfL) awarded Costain, an infrastructure solutions company, a contract to deliver the upgrade.
So what’s actually changing and when will the upgrades be done?
What’s changing at South Kensington station?
According to TfL, the redevelopment will focus on improving accessibility and tackling overcrowding, as the station is used by tens of millions of passengers every year, thanks to its connections to nearby museums as well as specialist hospitals and the Imperial College London.
Under the proposed changes, South Kensington will get a step-free access revamp throughout the station, including at platforms, the ticket hall, and the subway tunnels.
The currently disused platform 1 will be reopened, serving the District and Circle lines. The upgrade will also restore the station’s ‘heritage features’ across all platforms.
Meanwhile, outside the station, 50 new homes will be built nearby, with provision for some affordable housing on Pelham Street.
A new four-storey building called ‘The Bullnose’ will be erected at the front of the station with cafes, restaurants and offices, although no retail units have been confirmed for the space yet.
When will the redevelopment be completed?
According to Costain, which is working on the upgrade to the station and its surrounding area alongside Native Land and Places for London, work will begin on the station this year.
The upgrades are expected to be completed by 2031, which also marks the 150th anniversary of the National History Museum.
What transport upgrades are happening in London?
London and its gigantic transportation network, which includes the Tube, London Overground, and National Rail lines, is always changing. These are all of the transport upgrades happening in the capital right now:
What have people said?
Alistair Geddes, the Rail Sector Director for Costain, said in a statement: ‘Since being selected to Transport for London’s Infrastructure Improvement Framework, we’ve worked hard to support early-stage planning and mobilisation for the planned major infrastructure upgrades across the capital, bringing our engineering-led solutions to the table to ensure predictable delivery.
‘In close collaboration with TfL and our supply partners, we’re ready to deliver upgrades to the internationally important South Kensington station that will improve London’s transport network and enhance the passenger experience for decades to come.’
Transport for London Commissioner Andy Lord added: ‘I’m delighted that our plans to transform the internationally important South Kensington station are fully progressing.
‘Awarding that contract to Costain means that, working closely with Native Land and Places for London – our wholly-owned property company – we can deliver step-free access here for the first time, as well as provide improved space for businesses.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
MORE: Escape the Oxford Street chaos with this ‘winter haven’ hidden on a store rooftop
MORE: London’s most beautiful autumnal walks and where to stop for coffee along the way
MORE: Residents shaken as fourth person dies after plunging from luxury London tower block