TRANSPORT for London’s Shepherd’s Bush Tube station on the Central Line has re-opened after an eight-month renovation to increase capacity.

For the first time in 80 years, the 108-year-old station has brand new escalators, and a much larger ticket hall with double the number of ticket gates which has replaced the demolished original facility.

Built in glass, steel and granite, the new station is modern and light with a digital CCTV system and passenger help/information points.

Assisted by funding of £170 million from developer Westfield, London, together with TfL’s overall £39 billion investment programme, the new station will be the main gateway to the new Westfield London Centre shopping mall, which is expected to double its passenger numbers.

The revamped station is part of a swathe of improved transport facilities in the White City and Shepherd’s Bush areas, which includes the new Shepherd’s Bush Over-ground station opened in September.

It also offers easy interchange between Tube and mainline trains to Gatwick Airport via Clapham Junction.

To avoid confusion, the existing Shepherd’s Bush Underground station on the Hammersmith and City Line is to be renamed Shepherd’s Bush Market.

Also opened last month was Wood Lane Underground station – the first new station on the system for 70 years – between Shepherd’s Bush Market and Latimer Road, plus a new bus interchange of eight routes and 170 bus movements every hour.
 
To complete the picture, White City Underground station is to be refurbished and will feature four new cycle routes and 570 secure cycle parking spaces around the station site.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “The refurbished Shepherd’s Bush station will provide a hugely important resource to the local community and will bring visitors to the Westfield London Centre, which is set to regenerate the area.”