The overbridge has been installed at Brent Cross West, the most visible sign yet of the new station which will open next year.

Over the weekend the second part of the bridge was lifted into place, ahead of opening to the public along with the station itself in late 2022. It will provide pedestrians and cyclists access across the tracks for the first time since this part of the Midland Main Line was built 150 years ago.

The bridge was fabricated off-site, 150 miles away in Doncaster, before being delivered in sections to the station. The first half was assembled in April before being lifted into place over the Mayday bank holiday using a 750-ton mobile crane. Over the last month the process has been repeated for the western half, being assembled in the nearby retail park.

And the overbridge is only the latest milestone to take place at Brent Cross West this year.  So far, teams working on site have completed the new train sidings and a new level crossing in March, moved the existing railway lines over the April and May bank holidays, and agreed to create ‘passive provision’ at the new station for the proposed West London Orbital (WLO) rail route which would offer additional cross-London services, plus potential links with the HS2 line to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

Over the coming weeks, from 14 August until the end of the month, we will be removing rail lines that are no longer needed. From 28 August to 3 September our teams will carry out the electrification of the overhead lines.  And we are continuing to build the new station, with work including installing the drainage, reinforced concrete foundations, lift shafts, platforms, and structural steelwork.

The station programme is being managed by Mace on behalf of Barnet Council, built by VolkerFitzpatrick, and designed by engineering professional services consultancy WSP with architects Chapman Taylor.  Brent Cross West and the associated rail infrastructure is one of the first rail projects in England to be delivered entirely by a local authority who are directing construction and working in partnership with Network Rail and the Department for Transport.

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.

Read more about the new station here.