Major 186-year-old train station is getting big makeover this summer
A HISTORIC railway station will finally receive a long-awaited upgrade that’s been six years in the making.
Plans were first announced in 2020 but construction is only expected to go ahead in the coming months.
East London‘s Lea Bridge station is set to get a major upgrade to its ticket hall and entrance, following a campaign by locals.
The historic building was originally constructed in 1840 but closed in 1985 following the closure of the railway route.
It was re-built and re-opened in 2016, however despite being along a busy commuter route, the station features only a small un-gated side street entrance with no ticket office.
After calls from residents to upgrade the facilities, the station will now receive a modernised ticket hall.
This includes a fully staffed ticket office and automatic entrance gates.
The plans also involve a retail unit and a new cycle hub, which will provide secure parking for up to 130 bikes.
A larger entrance on the main road will also be built, intended to make the station bigger, safer and more accessible for travellers.
Construction will begin this summer, and is expected to last into 2027.
This comes as the area undergoes a period of major regeneration, with 387 homes planned for the site around the station.
Lea Bridge operates between Stratford and Tottenham Hale on the Lea Valley Lines, and serves a daily average of 2,500 passengers.
It offers a 20-minute route into London Liverpool Street and a direct line to Stratford and Meridian Water.