Thameslink programme - |
77.9% |
Interim Client and Design Award
Project Team:
Client: Network Rail
Design: Atkins and Jestico + Whiles
Construction: Network Rail
The Project
The Thameslink route is one of the busiest routes in the south east and passenger growth is predicted to increase significantly over the next 20 years. To accommodate this growth Network Rail is investing £6 billion in the Thameslink Programme of works to increase capacity and allow longer and more frequent services.
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Part of this programme includes constructing a new twin track viaduct between Metropolitan Junction and Railway Approach, which will eventually link into London Bridge Station. The new structure extends for 322 metres and will run alongside the existing viaduct, doubling capacity on this part of the route and removing the current bottle neck at London Bridge Station.
The project scored well in a number of sections including the historic environment, land use, effects on neighbours, and transport.
Historic Environment
To make way for the new structure a number of buildings had to be demolished. Prior to demolition, all buildings were fully recorded. On completion of the viaduct new buildings will be constructed on the footprint of the previous buildings. Archaeologists have been employed during all excavations to date to ensure that the archaeological resource is fully recorded.
The works at Borough are taking place within the Borough High Street Conservation Area and the alignment of the new viaduct was carefully selected to minimise the loss of listed buildings.
At Stoney Street, the listed Wheatsheaf public house has been retained by removing only the top floor of the building allowing the new structure to oversail the building. A new basement and ground floor rear extension will be constructed to enable the building to continue to operate as a pub.
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Two spans of the cast iron Victorian market roof have been dismantled and will be reinstated, following refurbishment. Traditional construction methods will be used during the restoration works, and the reinstatement will ensure that part of the historic fabric of the area is preserved.
Land Use
The redevelopment of sites beneath the viaduct will ensure that the productivity of the land is maintained, and the viaduct has been designed to ensure that noise emanating from the structure is minimised. Borough Market will return to its original trading area, but will also benefit from increased trading space. Additionally, a derelict site in the heart of the Conservation Area has been cleared and will be brought back into use as a beer garden for the listed Wheatsheaf pub.
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Community Involvement
Consultation took place with the local community throughout the design development process and continues during the construction phase. Meetings are held regularly with the local community to keep them informed of work activities.
Construction activities and deliveries to site are managed to reduce the impact on
local businesses and traders, and deliveries to site are restricted on Market Days.