Three options to improve Clapham Junction have been shortlisted
A South London train station could be transformed with a new crossing and entrances to tackle overcrowding. Wandsworth Council has shortlisted three options to improve Clapham Junction station, which is one of the UK’s busiest, by increasing capacity and upgrading connections through it.
The council agreed in 2023 to draw up a masterplan to improve the station and its surroundings to meet emerging targets for the area, which has been earmarked for at least 3,000 new homes, shops and infrastructure development over the next decade. The authority is working with partners including the Greater London Authority (GLA), Transport for London (TfL), Network Rail and landowners on the masterplan.
The authorities have completed the first stage of the masterplan process, which involved exploring more ambitious alternatives to an existing proposal from Network Rail to build a new bridge at the eastern end of the station to slash congestion at minimal cost. A report by council officers said this would be a “missed opportunity” as it would not provide new entrances or unpaid crossings to improve connections through the station or unlock its development potential.
The three shortlisted options identified through stage one are:
- A new overbridge with a public link across the railway at the eastern end of the station and new station entrances on either side;
- A new overbridge with a public link across the railway at the western end of the station, and new station entrances on either side. This would replace the current overbridge in the long term;
- A new underpass (subway) with a public link under the railway at the eastern end of the station and new station entrances on either side.
The second stage of the masterplan process has begun and will examine how each option would work with key development sites and the wider area. This stage will establish an outline for land uses, design principles for new buildings and public spaces, landscaping and phasing. It is expected to be completed by autumn 2026.
The report said: “It is acknowledged that the station itself requires significant investment to meet current and future needs and to support the wider growth strategy for the area, including growth within the Winstanley-York Road regeneration area directly north of the station.
“The station is an essential interchange for millions of passengers each year, and whilst there have been some improvements in recent years, the station has not received the necessary investment to deliver significant capacity and passenger experience upgrades required.
“Furthermore, key development sites identified for development in the Local Plan have significant interfaces with the station itself, and therefore the future of the station and these development sites cannot be properly planned without looking at the area holistically.”
The final outcome of the masterplan is anticipated to become a supplementary planning document (SPD), which will provide more detailed planning and design guidance to support policies in the Local Plan, be used to help determine future planning applications and help to build a business case to the government and other sources for funding for works to the station.
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