In pictures: New King's Cross Western Concourse
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Next Monday passengers at London’s King’s Cross station will see the fruits of a five-year programme of building works which cost £550 million and includes a brand new Western Concourse.
The redevelopment has been completed on time and in time for the Olympics. The scheme is the biggest transformation in the 160-year history of the Grade I listed station.
The 5,000 builders who worked on the project used more than a thousand tonnes of steel, laid one million specially-made heritage bricks, five million ceramic tiles and five million metres of cabling.
The 45 million passengers who pass through King’s Cross annually will benefit better lighting, larger destination boards, clearer station announcements and more shops and restaurants.
But the new Western Concourse is the redevelopment’s crowning glory. The spectacular geometric roof structure has been cleverly blended with the station’s original architecture to create a space for passengers that is three-times larger than the current concourse, with improved links to both the London Underground network and St Pancras station.
The station’s previous concourse and ticket hall, with its trademark green plastic roof, will be bulldozed to make way for a piazza-style seating area.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments