With an estimated 47 million people using King Cross Station each and every year, it was conceded that the station was in need of revamping to handle this volume more comfortably and to ensure more capacity for future years. The Kings Cross Station redevelopment plan was proposed in 2005 by Network Rail and it is expected cost £400 million, with Network Rail and The Department of Transport funding the project. The plan received planning approval from the Camden Council in November 2007.
The redevelopment plan proposes to extend Kings Cross Station through the west concourse, which will triple the size of present one. New shops and restaurant will be added, as well as improved access to throughout the station and to the underground, Thameslink and St. Pancreas. The redevelopment plan will remove the 1973 arched station roof. There will also be a redevelopment of the land between the stations which will see 2,000 houses and additional office space.
Construction started in September 2008 with the North Ticket Hall.
Milestones for the Redevelopment of King Cross Station
2008 : Main Train Shed Roof Renewal Starts
2009 : Work on Western Concourse Starts
2010 : New Platform Completion
2011 : Restoration and Reglazing of Roof Complete
2012 : New Western Concourse Opened (in time for the Olympics)
2012 : Demolition of existing concourse
2013 : Build new public square in front of Kings Cross Station
Some Artistic Impressions of the New Kings Cross Station
