Getting the attention
Brixton is the ninth busiest station on the network with an average of 27,000 passengers travelling through it every day. It is likely that traffic through the station will increase, which is why the Brixton Congestion Relief project has been undertaken. Interface talks to those involved in the project about what the works will include
BRIXTON station is a hub of activity for both trains and passengers on the Victoria line. As reported in the February issue of Interface, the Crossover Renewal Project will improve the reversal process at Brixton and support the enhanced train service.
The plans for congestion relief came about through an Input Specific Transaction project.
 |
| How inviting! This architectual drawing of the plans for Brixton show that the station will be given a positive prescence on the high street |
The designs, by Chetwoods Associates, include the addition of a third escalator which will replace the staircase that currently exists between the two main escalators. There is also a requirement to increase mobility-impaired access, so two lifts will be added – one from street level to the ticket hall and one from the ticket hall to the platforms.
The station's frontage will also receive a new look.
Project Manager, Ross Higgs, explains: “The aim is to give the station more presence. First, the front will be demolished to the first structural bay. Then it will be reconstructed with a new glass façade. We will also create a light well to bring more daylight into the station."
Because of the frontage works, the main staircase to the ticket hall will have to be reconstructed. Its pitch will be decreased and reconfigured. The ticket hall itself was upgraded about five years ago. This project, however, includes new staff accommodation above the station.
“There will be a new training suite, improved staff facilities and office accommodation for the management team at Brixton," says GSM Paul Jesset, who has been working closely with the design and project teams, as well as the local authority, to ensure the plans go smoothly.
“We're looking forward to the start of the project," he says. “It is an integral part of the continuing regeneration of Brixton. At the moment the station is described as the ‘letterbox’ on Brixton High Street, so the project will make us the focus of attention."
On the engineering side, an area of intense focus has been plans for the two new lifts. The tunnelling works, which will use the NATM (New Austrian Tunnelling Method) is one of the biggest technical issues for the project.
“The work will be close to the escalators so there is the possibility of structural settlement," says Simon Forbes, Assistant Project Manager. “Monitoring devices will go in all along the area of influence – under the escalators, in the running tunnels and in the station. These will measure ground movement and advise the project team, station staff and the contractor of the dynamics of the movement."
Ross adds: “Geotechnic engineers have already analysed the ground and we are aware there will be some ground movement, so a jacking system will go in on the bottom of the escalators to support and compensate for any movement."
In the running tunnels, the monitors will set off a system of alerts, if there is any change to the kinematic envelope.
The monitoring devices are due to be installed within the next few months. Tenders have already gone out for the station works and the contracts will be awarded in the summer.
The works are expected to take approximately 20 months, although the monitors will remain in place for a period of two years after completion in order to ensure there are no further settlement problems.
Published by Engineering, London Underground Limited,
30 The South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 5EU, in association with
Financial & Business Publications, Regent House, 24-25 Nutford Place, London W1H 5YN
© London Underground Limited, 2000
For further information,
 T: +44 (0)20-7569 3040 F: +44(0)20-7569 3041
|
