Thameslink Community Arts Programme: Re-activating Stainer Street

Summary

During its five-year rebuild London Bridge station was transformed. Previously a haphazard maze of buildings, tunnels and walkways, it is now a purpose-built, accessible, dual-concourse station fit for the 21st century. As well as improving travel for passengers, Network Rail and Thameslink Programme were also committed to enhancing the local community around the station.

By 2010 Stainer Street had become little more than a polluted cut through for traffic with very few pedestrians using it. The vision for the design for Stainer Street was to remove traffic to create a pleasant and safe link through the station without users necessarily needing to enter the station itself.

New shops and restaurants would also be offered fronting directly onto the street. This would create extra income for the improvement of our rail infrastructure while also encouraging people to explore the area on either side of the station.