Whitechapel Station to be modernised in preparation for Crossrail

Work will begin this week to transform Whitechapel Station ahead of Crossrail services starting in 2018.

Whitechapel station, which opened 140 years ago, will be transformed into a step-free station, with the ticket hall refurbished and expanded with wider pathways and more ticket gates giving customers a more efficient and less crowded experience.

The new Crossrail platforms will be integrated with the existing Tube and London Overground services, providing easier access to services across London and out to Essex and Berkshire.

New lifts from street level to all platforms will be put in place, allowing full accessibility for customers wanting to use the Crossrail, Tube or London Overground services.

In order for the work to be carried out, Whitechapel station will be closed on the weekend of 16 and 17 of January, with a new temporary station entrance to be located on the corner of Durward Street and Court Street from the 18 January. There will be more ticket gates in the temporary ticket hall, with members of staff available for assistance at all times.

As part of the works, improvements will also be made around the area of the station, with Court Street being pedestrianised, and a pedestrian crossing relocated to the temporary station entrance. This will give customers better access to bus stops, which are just a short distance down Whitechapel Road.

Cycle Superhighway 2 is also being upgraded and is due to be completed in the Spring.

Howard Smith, TfL’s Operations Director of Crossrail, said: “People living or working in Whitechapel will benefit from convenient, step-free journeys to new parts of London without the need to change trains. When the work is complete customers will have a brighter, more spacious station with a bigger ticket hall and lift access to all train platforms from street level. In the meantime we are doing everything possible to keep disruption for our customers to an absolute minimum.”

Some London Overground services will be part suspended between Highbury & Islington and Shadwell and between Surrey Quays to New Cross from Saturday 13 February until Sunday 21 February. A bus replacement service will operate.

Much of the work that has been undertaken as part of the Crossrail programme has been carried out without any disruption to London Overground services, however as this worksite is directly above London Overground tracks, some suspensions are required.

The works will mean more frequent journeys between Whitechapel and stations to Reading in the west and further east, out to Abby Wood and Shenfield in Essex.

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