Member Article

Green light for new station building at Hayes & Harlington

Proposals for a major overhaul of Hayes & Harlington station as part of the Crossrail programme have been approved by Hillingdon Council.

The distinctive new glass and steel structure will create a landmark station that will be much more visible and prominent than the existing station.

A bright, spacious ticket hall will provide a more welcoming environment and a range of other improvements will be made to the station, including a new footbridge with four new lifts to provide step free access to every platform and a new waiting room on platforms 4 and 5.

The new building, designed by Bennetts Associates, will be situated immediately to the north of the existing station and will replace a commercial property currently on the site.

From the end of 2017, the station will be run by Transport for London as part of London’s integrated transport network.

Matthew White, Crossrail surface director said: “Crossrail will provide a step change in public transport for local people – better stations, new trains and faster journeys. The new building will properly reflect the importance of the station to the area and, together with the broader improvements, will make using the station a much more pleasant experience.

Cllr Douglas Mills, Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce and Regeneration at Hillingdon Council, said: “I’m delighted that the application for the Crossrail station in Hayes has been approved by the council’s planning committee as this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create an impressive and welcoming gateway in the town.

“I am also pleased that Crossrail have agreed to incorporate some of the original materials from the historic station into the new design.

“We hope that Crossrail will take pride in delivering the station to the quality that Hayes deserves and look forward to working with Crossrail to maximise the benefits of the new stations for residents and businesses.”

David Laing, Studio Director at Bennetts Associates said: “It has been exciting to be involved in the design of the new station, introducing transparent, light and secure spaces for public use which should contribute to the further development taking place in the surrounding area.”

A public information session will be held on Tuesday 24 March to inform local people about the plans for Hayes & Harlington station and work planned in the area over the Easter period.

The session is taking place at Play Hayes, next to Tesco Express in Station Approach, Hayes between 3pm and 7.30pm.

When Transport for London-run Crossrail fully opens in 2019, up to ten services an hour in each direction will serve Hayes & Harlington station, allowing passengers to travel right through central London without having to change trains. The journey to Bond Street will be 15 minutes quicker and passengers travelling to Canary Wharf will be able to reduce their journey time by 17 minutes.

In addition to the station improvements, Crossrail has been working with Hillingdon Council on proposals for improvements to the area around the station. The proposals would create a new public space in Station Approach by improving pedestrian and cycle connectivity to the station through better pedestrian crossings, continuous cycle lanes, tree planting, and safer junctions.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .