The station experiences crowding and queuing at ticket gates during its busiest times of day with approximately 37 million entries and exits recorded at the station between April 2021 and March 2022, marking the second-highest figures in the country.
In order to make space for the additional gates, retail units next to platforms 2 to 7 and platforms 8 to 13 have been demolished. This work saw 250 tonnes of spoil and 150 tonnes of steel removed from the station.
The retail units located on the narrow route to platforms 15 to 19 have also been demolished. This has allowed a generous thoroughfare to be created between platform 14 and the escalators, which leads to the Victoria Place shopping centre.
The next stage of the project will involve the installation of the new gates and customer information systems, which are located over the gates. This stage of the project will also see the installation of 690 metres of new floor put in place on either side of the new gateline.
The new gates will support improved passenger experience and safety alongside being able to move more efficiently through the station with work set to complete by March 2024.
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail's Sussex route director, said:
“It's been an immense challenge undertaking this project while the station is still fully operational, as we couldn't interfere with passenger announcements or electrical and power supplies.”
“All the key enabling works are now complete and we will now turn our focus to the numerous construction elements of this project.”
“We've worked hard to minimise the disruption to passengers and we're really grateful to them for their patience while this work is ongoing and we look forward to giving them easier, faster and safer journeys from March next year.”
Jason Clarke, Area Manager for Southeastern, said:
“Victoria is extremely busy, and it is great news that this extra space is being added to help passengers move through the station.”
“We are always looking at how we can make our customer journeys better, in a more reliable and a more sustainable railway, and easing congestion at the second busiest station in the country is very welcome indeed.”
Jenny Saunders, Customer Service Director for Govia Thameslink, which operates Southern and Gatwick Express, said:
“We're delighted with Network Rail's improvements to the layout of the station, and with their overall progress on this major scheme. The extra gates, particularly the new accessible wide gates which are especially welcome, will take advantage of the space opened up for our passengers, enabling them to get to and from their trains more quickly and comfortably.”
a barrier to ease congestion.. no wonder this country is in a mess