Brent Cross West station may not open until December 2022, but the latest landmark on the project has been 150 years in the making.

The first part of the Eastern Overbridge was installed over the Mayday weekend as part of a larger series of works taking place over the May bank holidays. The Overbridge will be completed later this year and will be available for public use when the station opens next year.

And when that happens it will provide the first pedestrian and cycleway over this part of the Midland Main Line since the track opened here in the 19^th century.

The lifted in span bridge is battleship grey in colour, weighed 86 tons, and was 32m long. It was fabricated off-site in Doncaster and then delivered in sections to site, where it was assembled, before being lifted into place on Saturday 1 May using a 750-ton mobile crane in the eastern site compound.

The station programme is being managed by Mace on behalf of LBB, built by VolkerFitzpatrick, and designed by engineering professional services consultancy WSP with architects Chapman Taylor.

While the bridge is the most visible milestone to date, it is one of several key achievements taking place in quick succession in and around the new train station.

Late last year architects Studio Egret West revealed their plans for Brent Cross West’s eastern entrance. The stunning design features a roof canopy of glazed panels resting on timber columns, vines connected to groundfloor planters by a wire trellis system, and ornamental trees in the entranceway. Works will to constructing the Eastern Entrance have now commenced later this month.

In March the new sidings were completed, clearing the way for the new station construction. This was accompanied by a new level crossing installation, allowing staff to cross the tracks safely to get to and from the trains.

And over the April and May bank holiday weekends work has been taking place to move existing rail lines and rebuild sections of the track, to make way for the new platforms which will serve the station.

The entire programme is on track to be completed in May 2022, with construction running to schedule despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brent Cross West and the associated rail infrastructure is being delivered by Barnet Council. The new station is at the heart of the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration programme. It will provide a gateway to Brent Cross Town, a new neighbourhood for Barnet that will bring thousands of new homes, jobs, improved schools, leisure, retail and cultural facilities to the area.

For more information about the Brent Cross West programme and the wider Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration programme visit TransformingBX.co.uk