The bold lettering above Brent Cross West’s eastern and western entrances marks an important step in the journey towards the station’s completion and is a visual signal to those living close by that the Thameslink station will soon be operational.

The VolkerFitzpatrick team are building the four-platform station, which covers around 7,000 square metres and sits on the Midland Main Line between Cricklewood and Hendon. It will connect passengers from central London to Brent Cross in as little as 12 minutes, with up to eight Thameslink services an hour at peak times. It will also be able to accommodate the planned West London Orbital (WLO) line in future, which will provide additional cross-London services. Our team are building the station on behalf Barnet Council and Network Rail are a key programme partner.

It is essential to the wider regeneration of the area. Part of the ambitious Brent Cross Cricklewood Regeneration Programme, the new station will provide the gateway to north London’s new park town, Brent Cross Town, which alone will deliver 6,700 new homes and create 25,000 jobs.

Mike Evans, operations director for VolkerFitzpatrick, commented: “This is an exciting moment for us to step back and reflect on this substantial and structurally complex build. I want to thank everyone who has been involved with the building of this station – they’ve worked incredibly hard to bring it to this point. It’s a real achievement and has taken great planning, close collaboration, and robust processes to safely coordinate around the existing railway infrastructure.”

Councillor Barry Rawlings, leader of Barnet Council, said: "The new Brent Cross West station is fundamental to our plans to transform the local area, creating thousands of new jobs and much-needed new housing. It’s great to see the new external signs signalling the progress of this ambitious project.”

The station will also connect the areas of Brent and Barnet via a new overbridge, which will be free to access. A 150-year landmark, it will provide the first pedestrian and cycle access across this stretch of the Midland Main Line since it was first built in the 19th century.

In keeping with Barnet Council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency, Brent Cross Town has pledged to be net zero by 2030. Brent Cross West station is essential to this vision and includes provisions for bike storage and good bus and cycle links to the surrounding area. A new transport interchange is also under construction with three bus routes proposed to stop directly outside the station.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, and Cricklewood Ward Member, added: “We are on a journey with local people, communities and businesses to become a net zero borough. The new station at Brent Cross West is important in helping to achieve this by improving public transport options and offering an environmentally friendly way to connect across the borough and the capital.”

Brent Cross West is expected to open in autumn 2023, with an official opening date to be announced this summer.

Find the latest news about Brent Cross West at transformingbx.co.uk/brent-cross-west