The transformation of Paddington station moves a step closer this week as major work on Network Rail¹s £35m project to fully restore platforms 9 to 12 and the Edwardian roof starts.
The important milestone is being accompanied by an exhibition at the station, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday, where passengers can find out about the project and other exciting improvements coming to Paddington in the future.
Today Span 4 ­ the section of roof above platforms 9 to 12 ­ is hidden by a false ceiling which was erected in 1996 to protect passengers from the ageing glass above. From now until late 2010, engineers will work high above the station¹s tens of thousands of commuters to repair the metalwork and replace all the glazing, allowing the light to flood back in to the soon-to-be refurbished platforms below.
The Span 4 extension includes not just the roof, but the platforms, the structures supporting London Street, and a network of bridges and walkways ­ as well as the mechanical and electrical systems that support the building.
All of these are being either renewed or replaced as part of Network Rail¹s multimillion pound investment.
Each piece of work is designed so that Span 4 should not need major maintenance again for a quarter of a century ­ while the new and restored structures can expect to be used for another 75 years. And all this will be achieved without closing the station and with minimal disruption to passengers.
Chris Rayner, Network Rail route director, said: ³For more than a decade, passengers using Paddington have been deprived of one-quarter of this wonderful station¹s architecture and atmosphere. The work to restore Span 4 will make the station lighter, brighter and lays the foundations for further improvements including Crossrail and the possible future electrification of the Great Western mainline.
³As we prepare for the next chapter in Span 4¹s story, Paddington¹s proud history of over 150 years of continuous use will once again enter an exciting new phase.² The Span 4 project is just part of a wider programme of improvements at Paddington station. Following the restoration of the original three spans of the roof, passengers have also benefited from new customer information systems, new platform surfaces and a new shopping, eating and waiting area.
Further improvements to the customer information systems are soon to be installed in the station.
With the transformation of Span 4, the restoration process will be complete.
This side of the station will be opened up to the light for the first time since the 1990s, and all of Paddington¹s passengers will be able to enjoy the station¹s magnificent roofs ­ now fully restored to their original glory.
As well as restored roofs and refurbished platforms, tomorrow¹s passengers will also benefit from the integration of Crossrail services at Paddington.
The Span 4 project will pave the way for this exciting new development, with the taxi rank relocated to the Span 4 side of the station ­ making way for a brand new Crossrail interchange.