WORK has started on building a new twelfth platform at King’s Cross station as part of Network Rail’s £450m redevelopment of the historic London station.
 
Over the next decade passenger numbers at King’s Cross — Britain's busiest transport interchange — are due to rise by 10 million, yet even now the station suffers from congestion during peak hours.

The new platform will increase capacity by allowing between seven and 24 more trains during the morning peak period and crucially, according to Network Rail, will also significantly reduce any service disruption while other platforms are refurbished.

It is being constructed next to the existing platform 1 on the eastern side of the station adjacent to York Way, space that was used as a covered taxi pick-up area in the past. Construction is expected to be complete by summer 2010.

Ian Fry, project director, said: “King’s Cross is being transformed into a world class transport hub which can meet future demand and offer the best facilities for passengers. The new platform will allow even more trains to run in the long term, provide more space and enable us to keep train services fully operational throughout the redevelopment."

By 2013, Network Rail says passengers will experience a completely rejuvenated King's Cross station with more capacity, an additional platform for extra services and improved links with international and domestic services from St Pancras and the London Underground.

The Grade 1 listed façade will also be restored to its former glory by demolishing the current single-storey concourse extension, “creating a stunning new open piazza larger than Leicester Square at the front of the station.”
 
•  Passengers are reminded that the north-east exit to York Way will be close permanently from 24 April to allow work on the new platform to begin.