New Brent Cross West (Thameslink) station

[43066]

I noticed yesterday at Cricklewood that the PIS now refers to Brent Cross West in the “this train is between” scrolling display.

 

[eh_oh]

I noticed yesterday at Cricklewood that the PIS now refers to Brent Cross West in the “this train is between” scrolling display.

Been doing that for months although I noticed for the first time this morning that it now says "this train is currently at Brent Cross West"

 

[Edvid]

Not the best quality, but here's a few pictures taken during my travels last Saturday.

 

[The exile]

This says that the tactile band should be 760 mm from the edge (as usual), and rather than this being the coloured line/strip as well, there should be a yellow line at 1500 mm.

Can anyone explain the logic of having the line for people who can see further away from the edge than the one for people who can’t? If it’s safe / unsafe for one group to stand somewhere it must surely be safe/ unsafe for all.

 

[stuving]

Can anyone explain the logic of having the line for people who can see further away from the edge than the one for people who can’t? If it’s safe / unsafe for one group to stand somewhere it must surely be safe/ unsafe for all.

It goes something like this: the tactile strip provides information about where the platform edge is for all reasons, including boarding trains. That's why it has to be at a standard distance from the edge. There have to be other sources of information about the extra safety distance requirement.

 

[The exile]

There have to be other sources of information about the extra safety distance requirement.

Which are what, for those who cannot see the yellow line?

 

[Clip]

Which are what, for those who cannot see the yellow line?

youre thinking of only boarding the train - what about those alighting?

 

[stuving]

Which are what, for those who cannot see the yellow line?

According to the letter of dispensation from DfT*:

Other mitigations, including audio announcements at the station, to be employed to reduce the risk to passengers in not marking the edge of the danger area through a tactile surface.

*Not ORR, as I said in post #149 with the link.

 

[Edvid]

The July 2023 BXC Construction Update, published last Friday, includes the following:

STATION WORKS:
• Works on the station are currently in the final stages, with design finishes, mechanical and electrical installations, buildings fitout and signage all expected to complete in the next month.
• This will be alongside testing and commissioning works which are underway and progressing.
• It is also expected that work on the concourse roofing will start in July and be completed in September.
• Hoarding will be installed in front of the station in July.
• Highway and public realm works are mostly complete. Finishing touches such as planting trees, hedges and plants will be put in place right before station opening.

BRENT TERRACE NORTH ACCESS:
• A new route will open from Friday 14 July between 5:30am to 8pm via Claremont Park (map below).
• Outside of these hours, a diverted route remains in place via Clitterhouse Crescent between 8pm to 5:30am.
• This route will be open 24/7 when Brent Cross West station opens in Autumn 2023.

Said new route goes right past the eastern entrance.

Still no official opening date at present.

----- [Note: Automerge still triggers after four days, apparently] -----

There's also a detailed update in LB Barnet's latest report on the regeneration project, along with a set of station images that I extracted from the associated appendix.

 

[Sunil_P]

Taken on Monday 17th. Apologies for the Super-Blurro-Vision

 

[Edvid]

Still better than mine! There's a notable appearance of the Double Arrow on a station name platform sign (second picture) for the first time since... I don't know, but it's the first I've seen in years, perhaps ever.

Tomorrow may be a key date - extract from the report in my previous post:

1.6 A number of ‘Go/No/Go’ sessions have been held with all stakeholders involved in opening the station (Network Rail, GTR, DfT and Brent Cross Town) to ensure all workstreams are on target for opening in Autumn this year. The final ‘Go/No/Go’ session is scheduled for 25th July. If all stakeholders agree to proceed at that point, then the formal opening date will be announced publicly shortly after this session.

 

[Mikey C]

The road on the east side is open now (currently open to the public until 8pm), along with the bus stops

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Anybody know which TFL bus routes will call at the new Brent Cross West station?

 

[jeremyjh]

Anybody know which TFL bus routes will call at the new Brent Cross West station?

189 and 326 on the eastern side, 266 and 316 on the western side.

 

[WesternBiker]

The road on the east side is open now (currently open to the public until 8pm), along with the bus stops


View attachment 141854View attachment 141855View attachment 141856View attachment 141857

That looks a pretty monumental entrance way - does it come across that way on the ground?

 

[Mikey C]

That looks pretty monumental entrance way - does it come across that way on the ground?

Yes!

An interesting architectural decision to enclose the entire structure, resulting in that rather OTT looking entrance. The bridge looks more like something you'd see at an airport

 

[eh_oh]

Now all that remains is an opening date - surely we can expect one soon as the end of "summer 2023" is nearing within the next week or so.

 

[miklcct]

189 and 326 on the eastern side, 266 and 316 on the western side.

Any source on this? These routes aren't the routes which currently serve the immediate vicinity of the station (which are 32 and 266 on the west side, 189 and C11 on the east side).

 

[Edvid]

By the astronomical definition, they could announce the date at 0649 on 23 September and it would still count as summer

I know 16 October has been mentioned (unofficially) on this thread and the New Stations list. I recently snuck a peek inside a couple of industry mags (Rail Magazine / Today's Railways UK) and one of those mentioned that date as well, though it wasn't designated as being official.

From Barnet Council themselves, still no announcement. But a line in item 11 of next week's cabinet agenda does get more specific than the seasons:

3.25.2 Brent Cross West – The forecast at M3 for 2023-24 identifies re-profiling expenditure of £2.580m into
2025-26. The 2025-26 forecast is materially based on the creation of a new Waste Transfer Station at
Geron Way, and the acceleration of the infrastructure works required at that junction. BXW Station
construction is complete with the station due to open in October 2023.

So finally back to the same level of detail it used to be!

189 and 326 on the eastern side, 266 and 316 on the western side.

You sure about the 266? The consultation maps had that route as staying on Edgware Road in the vicinity.

Yes!

An interesting architectural decision to enclose the entire structure, resulting in that rather OTT looking entrance. The bridge looks more like something you'd see at an airport

I believe they built the eastern entrance like that so it doesn't end up being overshadowed by the buildings that'll be built right next to it.

 

[Sunil_P]

Looks a far cry from Thanet flippin' Parkway or Reston

 

[The exile]

Looks a far cry from Thanet flippin' Parkway or Reston

Of course - it’s in London.

 

[Supercoss]

December 10th ( timetable change day) has been advised as entry into service day for the new station , the previously advised date in October will not be met.

 

[Sunil_P]

December 10th ( timetable change day) has been advised as entry into service day for the new station , the previously advised date in October will not be met.View attachment 141962

A tad disappointing, but at least it's still 2023!
Do trains actually call at the station? Says so on WTT today. And your picture suggests so too!

 

[PGAT]

A tad disappointing, but at least it's still 2023!
Do trains actually call at the station? Says so on WTT today. And your picture suggests so too!

They don’t actually call, but provision is there in the timetable

 

[Sunil_P]

But how come he took pics at platform level??

 

[PGAT]

But how come he took pics at platform level??

He’s probably involved with the project

 

[Sunil_P]

He’s probably involved with the project

Of course

 

[Sunil_P]

Yesterday, I finally took some pictures at street level, in this case the western entrance, which is directly opposite the retail park off the A5. Bit of a trek to get here, got the 32 bus from round the corner from Hendon, then another 32 towards Cricklewood.

 

[jon0844]

I really do think station names look better when not in all capitals.

 

[J-2739]

I really do think station names look better when not in all capitals.

Unless with the Johnston font.