Thameslink 2000 Environmental Statement - Non-technical summary June 2004
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Thameslink 2000 Environmental Statement Non-technical summary June 2004 Prepared by Temple Environmental Consultants Ltd for Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Objectives of Thameslink 2000 .......................................................................................................... 6
Overview of the 2004 proposals ....................................................................................................... 7
Main proposals ................................................................................................................................. 9
Alternatives considered during the development of the scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Environmental impact assessment .................................................................................................... 18
Scheme-wide and strategic effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Environmental effects at Farringdon Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Environmental effects at Blackfriars Station ....................................................................................... 26
Environmental effects of the viaduct at Borough Market ................................................................... 28
Environmental effects at London Bridge Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Environmental effects of the dive-under at Bermondsey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Environmental effects of the new track at Tanners Hill ...................................................................... 33
Environmental effects at other locations ........................................................................................... 34
Mitigation and residual effects .......................................................................................................... 35
What happens next ........................................................................................................................ 36
1
2
Extent of the Thameslink 2000 project
Introduction
This document provides a non- The Thameslink service was
technical summary of the 2004 introduced in 1988 with the
Environmental Statement (ES) for reopening of the Snow Hill Tunnel.
Thameslink 2000.The ES has been This tunnel links Farringdon and
prepared to accompany revised Blackfriars Stations, enabling through
planning applications for works services to be operated across the
associated with the Thameslink 2000 Thames.The service rapidly attracted
rail enhancement scheme. heavy use, and improvements to it
The scheme is, however, were proposed in the early 1990s,
fundamentally the same as that but were not implemented.
examined at public inquiry in
Under Thameslink 2000, substantial
1999 in terms of its objectives,
investment would provide new
the powers being sought and the
railway infrastructure to allow more
transport benefits it provides.
frequent and longer trains to access
121 more stations than present.
History of the scheme’s Modernisation of stations at
development Farringdon, Blackfriars and London
The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), Bridge is a fundamental part of the
in association with Network Rail, scheme. A new station at St Pancras
is seeking to extend and upgrade the Midland Road to replace the existing
Thameslink network, which currently Kings Cross Thameslink Station is, at
links destinations between Bedford the time of writing, being constructed
and Brighton via central London, as part of the Channel Tunnel Rail
as well as linking Luton with Sutton Link (CTRL) works.
and Wimbledon.
3
Thameslink 2000
An initial scheme for Thameslink 2000 travelling public in promoting rail over The Secretary of State acknowledged
was proposed in 1997, when Railtrack road-based transport and in the very substantial transportation,
made an application for an Order supporting regeneration and economic and regeneration benefits
under the Transport and Works Act development of parts of central of the scheme, but agreed in principle
(TWA).TWA Orders are made by London and the southeast of England. with the Inspector.
the Secretary of State, usually The Inspector, however, identified
following the holding of a three deficiencies with Thameslink Network Rail’s response
public inquiry. 2000 as presented, namely:
In light of the comments of the
The scope of the scheme was • the replacement of a 6-storey Inspector and the Secretary of State,
subsequently revised in response to building at Blackfriars with a new Network Rail (which took over the
objections. As a result, various single-storey station concourse ownership of, and responsibilities for,
changes were made to the original the national rail network from
• the absence of detailed re-
proposals, and a further application Railtrack in October 2002) has now
instatement proposals for buildings
for an Order for new and revised made planning applications for the
proposed to be demolished at four
works was submitted in September replacement of the 6-storey building
sites in the Borough High Street
1999 to reflect those changes. at Blackfriars with a building of similar
conservation area
The two applications for TWA scale, and for the replacement of
powers, together with associated • and the proposals for the those buildings demolished in the
planning applications, were considered redevelopment of London Bridge Borough High Street conservation
by an Inspector appointed by the Station, which he considered area. LB Southwark and the
Secretary of State at a public inquiry inadequate for a city of Corporation of London, as well as
held during 2000/01. London’s status. English Heritage have been involved
The Inspector considered it throughout the development of these
The Inspector concluded that
inappropriate to reach decisions on design proposals.
Thameslink 2000 would provide
the submitted applications until these
“very substantial … benefits” for the
deficiencies were addressed.
4
At London Bridge Station, and describes a range of mitigation summarising the significant
Network Rail now proposes to measures to be incorporated into the differences between the effects
adopt the scheme for the scheme or to be adopted where reported in the 2004 ES and
comprehensive redevelopment of practicable.The primary purpose of those previously reported in
the station known as Masterplan. an ES is to inform the decision- 1997 and 1999.
LB Southwark granted planning making process by reporting the
The following sections of this
permission and listed building consent results of an environmental impact
non-technical summary:
for this scheme in September 2003. assessment (EIA).This is a recognised
process for identifying the • set out the scheme objectives
In addition, Network Rail proposes
environmental effects of a project, and
to make a planning application to • describe the proposals
has been a formal part of the UK
accommodate the alterations to the • explain how the environmental
planning regime since 1988.
design at Blackfriars railway bridge impact assessment has been
that have arisen as a result of scheme The Order applications made in 1997 carried out
development since the conclusion of and 1999 were each accompanied by
the public inquiry. an ES.The Masterplan applications • review the main alternatives that
were also accompanied by an ES. have been considered
The role of the However, the Secretary of State has • set out the planning and regulatory
Environmental Statement requested Network Rail, in working context for the scheme
up scheme proposals, to provide an
The TWA Rules require that the • identify the predicted
amended, expanded and updated ES
Order Application be accompanied environmental effects,
covering the whole scheme.
by an Environmental Statement (ES). both beneficial and adverse,
Network Rail has therefore produced
Amongst other things, the ES together with appropriate
an ES that accommodates the whole
identifies the predicted significant mitigation measures.
scheme, including those changed
environmental effects of the scheme,
elements referred to above. It has
both beneficial and adverse,
also produced an appendix to the ES
5
Objectives of Thameslink 2000
The objectives of Thameslink 2000 • help with the dispersal of
are to: passengers from the Channel
Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) terminus
• reduce overcrowding on
at St Pancras.
Thameslink and other London
commuter services Thameslink 2000 will allow passengers
from many more locations north and
• reduce overcrowding on
south of the Thames to access central
the Underground
London without the need to transfer
• reduce the need for interchange to the Underground; this will relieve
between main line and pressure on the Underground, and it
Underground train services will make some journeys faster and
• provide for the introduction of more comfortable. As a major new
new cross-London services, public transport service,Thameslink
so improving public transport 2000 will encourage people to travel
accessibility in southeast England, by train rather than by car and so
particularly to areas of expected reduce congestion on the roads.
demand growth such as the
London Bridge development area,
Docklands, the land adjacent to
King’s Cross/St Pancras Stations
and Luton and Gatwick airports
6
Overview of the 2004 proposals
Network Rail proposes to meet London Bridge, 51 other stations will • insufficient power supplies for the
the objectives of Thameslink 2000 be upgraded to accommodate the more frequent, more power-
by enabling: longer trains. hungry and longer trains of
Thameslink 2000
• an extension of the existing
Thameslink service to More frequent services • a signalling system designed for
new destinations Additional capacity will be provided in controlling fewer trains.
part by increasing the frequency of
• the introduction of longer trains
the Thameslink service through
• a significantly greater frequency of central London.Thameslink 2000 will Location of main proposals in the Inner Area
service through central London. achieve this by removing the
constraints imposed by:
More stations and LB Islington
• the lack of availability of track LB Camden
longer trains
west of London Bridge Station,
The Thameslink 2000 service will
which currently requires
serve 169 stations as opposed to the
Thameslink services to share
51 currently served by Thameslink. Farringdon Station
track with other trains
Twelve-car trains will be used for City of
London
• the insufficient number of through- Blackfriars Station Borough Market Viaduct
much of the service during the
busiest periods in the morning and tracks at London Bridge Station
London
evening (the peak hours), in place of • the presence of track crossing Bridge
Station
the current eight-car trains. In addition points and junctions, particularly at Bermondsey
to the new station at St Pancras Farringdon, Blackfriars and LB Southwark
Midland Road and the major Bermondsey, which means that
reconstruction of stations at Thameslink and other services Tanners Hill
Farringdon, Blackfriars and impede each other
LB Lewisham
0 Kilometres 3
7
List of all stations served Stations where works are proposed
Existing Thameslink Station (Excluding Kings Cross Thameslink, Barbican and Moorgate)
by Thameslink 2000 New Station
Peterborough St. Albans Hove Epsom Denmark Hill
Huntingdon Radlett Portslade Ashstead Peckham Rye
St. Neots Elstree and Borehamwood Shoreham-by-Sea Leatherhead Nunhead
Sandy Mill Hill Broadway Lancing Bookham Crofton Park
Biggleswade Hendon Worthing Effingham Junction Catford
Arlesey Cricklewood West Worthing Guildford Bellingham
Hitchin West Hampstead T/Link Durrington-on-Sea Beckenham Hill
Stevenage Kentish Town Goring-by-Sea Elephant and Castle Ravensbourne
Finsbury Park Angmering Loughborough Junction Shortlands
St. Pancras Midland Road Littlehampton Herne Hill Bromley South
Kings Lynn Farringdon Tulse Hill Bickley
Watlington City Thameslink Purley Streatham St. Mary Cray
Downham Market Blackfriars Coulsdon South Mitcham Junction Swanley
Littleport London Bridge Merstham Hackbridge Eynsford
Ely Redhill Carshalton Shoreham
Waterbeach East Croydon Earlswood West Sutton Otford
Cambridge Gatwick Airport Salfords Sutton Common Bat and Ball
Foxton Three Bridges Horley St. Helier
Shepreth Balcombe Crawley Morden South New Cross
Meldreth Haywards Heath Ifield South Merton St. Johns
Royston Wivelsfield Faygate Wimbledon Chase Lewisham
Ashwell and Morden Burgess Hill Littlehaven Wimbledon Blackheath
Baldock Hassocks Horsham Haydons Road Kidbrooke
Letchworth Preston Park Tooting Eltham
Knebworth Brighton Sanderstead Falconwood
Welwyn North Riddlesdown Orpington Welling
Welwyn Garden City Plumpton Upper Warlingham Sevenoaks Bexleyheath
Hatfield Cooksbridge Woldingham Hildenborough Barnehurst
Potters Bar Lewes Oxted Tonbridge Hither Green
Glynde Hurst Green Paddock Wood Lee
Bedford Berwick Lingfield Marden Mottingham
Flitwick Polegate Dormans Staplehurst New Eltham
Harlington Hampden Park East Grinstead Headcorn Sidcup
Leagrave Eastbourne Pluckley Albany Park
Luton Norwood Junction Ashford International Bexley
Luton Airport Parkway West Croydon Crayford
Harpenden Sutton Dartford
8Outer area stations at which works are proposed
Main proposals
Main proposals in the • redeveloping London Bridge
Inner Area Station based on
Masterplan proposals
The Thameslink 2000 scheme has
been divided geographically into two • creating a rail underpass at
areas: the Inner Area, which includes Bermondsey (a ‘dive-under’)
the works within the City of London
• introducing additional track
and the London boroughs of
on a widened embankment at
Camden, Islington, Southwark and
Tanners Hill (St Johns)
Lewisham; and the Outer Area,
within which the remainder of the • platform extensions at West
Thameslink 2000 network lies. Hampstead, Finsbury Park,
Elephant and Castle, Hither Green
The main proposals in the Inner and New Cross stations
Area comprise:
• upgrading of the signalling system.
• introducing a new rail connection
In the Outer Area, works will
through the tunnel (constructed by
comprise platform extensions and
CTRL) between Thameslink and
other minor alterations at 46 stations,
the East Coast Main Line
together with upgrades to power
• upgrading Farringdon main line and supply equipment.
Underground stations
• reconstructing Blackfriars main line
and Underground stations
• introducing a new viaduct through
the Borough Market area
9Farringdon Station Changes to the design reported in
the 1999 ES relate to the new
The proposals at Farringdon Station
footbridge that enables better
are essentially the same as those put
passenger interchange between
forward in 1999.The proposals
Thameslink and London Underground
involve extending the platforms in
platforms, and the new platform roof
order to accommodate twelve-car
to the north of the existing roof.
trains. Closure of the Thameslink
These were however examined at the
branch to Moorgate is required in
2000/01 Public Inquiry, during which
order to allow space for these
Farringdon - proposed Cowcross Street entrance they were the subject of revised
extended platforms, as well as to
planning applications.
allow for the increased number of
cross-London services. New roof
canopies will be constructed that Blackfriars Station
will shelter passengers on both It is proposed to remodel the track
Thameslink and London Underground and station layout at Blackfriars in
platforms. Extension of the Thameslink order to accommodate twelve-car
platforms will require reconstruction trains, to remove the conflict between
of the Cowcross Street bridge; part of through and terminating services
Cowcross Street outside the station caused by the existing layout of
will be reinstated as a pedestrian tracks, and to improve passenger
precinct.The listed 54-60 Cowcross amenity, access and interchange with
Street will be demolished to make the Underground.The platforms will
way for a new Thameslink ticket hall be extended across the River Thames,
and concourse as part of general and will be roofed over. A new station
improvements to passenger access. entrance will be provided from the
south bank of the river.
Blackfriars - proposed north entrance
10In a change to the 1999 scheme, • a stronger support of the widened Other features of the scheme remain
it is now proposed to replace the bridge by the eastern-most piers unchanged, namely:
6-storey building at 167-179 Queen of the old West Blackfriars and
• reconstruction of the
Victoria Street with a new building of St Paul’s bridge in order to provide
Underground station
similar scale; this will house a new additional protection against
and interchange
station concourse and ticket office ship strike
(serving Underground and main line • a footbridge link to the
• changes to the new bridge roof:
rail passengers), a mezzanine deck main line platforms over
angled aluminium-clad panels
and a ventilation shaft designed as an Queen Victoria Street
separated by glass on the north-
architectural feature.This will remove • provision of two through
facing sides, replace the previous
the need for the ventilation shaft platforms on the eastern
design in order to improve the
structure on the traffic island that was side of the bridge and two
lighting of the platforms and the
proposed in 1999.The building will terminating platforms on
internal temperature for
otherwise be open to a ceiling some the west
passengers on the station.
20 metres high, creating a ‘cathedral’
This structure will intrude no more • extension of these
effect to the entrance to the station.
into the St Paul’s Heights than the platforms across the whole
Further design development of the
1999 proposal. length of the bridge
railway bridge has also revealed the Blackfriars - proposed station roof
need for some revisions to the Other changes concern the • provision of a roof across
scheme proposed in 1999; the main configuration and location of rooms the entire length and breadth of
revisions comprise the following: and buildings within the new station. the bridge
In order to overcome safety and • provision of a new station
operational concerns, it is now entrance and ticket hall on the
proposed that the Blackfriars south bank.
Underground Station will be closed
to passengers over some 24 months.
11Borough Viaduct • 2-4 Bedale Street, with a and six terminating train platforms in
two-storey retail/office building order to accommodate the increased
Between Metropolitan Junction and
Proposed replacement building for and a new entrance to the frequency of Thameslink 2000 trains,
London Bridge Station, the track
11-15 Borough High Street Borough Market while maintaining similar service levels
currently used by Thameslink services
to Cannon Street and Charing Cross.
passes over the Borough Market area • 11-15 Borough High Street, with a
This is unchanged from 1999.
on a brick arch viaduct that it shares four-storey office/retail building
with Charing Cross services. Other main elements of the
• 16-26 Borough High Street, with a
It remains the proposal to divert the Masterplan scheme are as follows:
four-storey commercial building.
Charing Cross services onto a new
double-track line carried on a series • two new and greatly improved
London Bridge Station station entrances on Tooley Street
of bridges and viaducts just to the
south of the existing line, leaving the The proposals at London Bridge and St Thomas Street
existing line and viaduct for Station represent a comprehensive
• a new public concourse at ground
Thameslink 2000 trains. change to the 1999 scheme.
level, linking Tooley Street and
These result from the “deficiencies” of
St Thomas Street
In a change to the 1999 proposals, the London Bridge Station proposals,
planning applications have now been as reported by the Inspector. • closure of one footbridge over
Proposed replacement building for
16-26 Borough High Street submitted for structures to replace The adoption of the Masterplan Tooley Street, requiring much
some of the buildings to be proposals, which have received greater street-level use by
demolished in the Borough High planning and listed building consent, pedestrians (and new facilities to
Street area, namely: means that the station will be accommodate this)
completely redeveloped as part of • platform access via a mezzanine
• 7 Stoney Street, with a beer
Thameslink 2000. interchange level.
garden for the adjacent
Wheatsheaf Pub and sculptural The Order works will enable changes
metal gate entrance to be made to the platforms and
tracks; this will provide nine through
Proposed entrance to London
Bridge Station, St Thomas Street
12• full compliance with Disability Bermondsey Tanners Hill
Discrimination Act requirements,
To the southeast of London Bridge In order to improve line capacity
including lift and escalator access
Station, the present need for on the approach to London
• greater capacity for new Thameslink services to share and to Bridge Station, it is proposed to
retail space cross over tracks used by other lay approximately 450 metres of
services to Kent, Sussex and south new track to create, in place of
• a redeveloped bus station with
London precludes the increased the existing single track link, a
15 bus stands (four more than at
number of Thameslink trains.To avoid double-track link between
present and two more than the
this constraint, a railway underpass or Tanners Hill and Lewisham Vale
13 stands proposed in the 1999
dive-under near Bolina Road in junctions. Realignment of the
scheme) and some 50% more
Bermondsey is proposed; this will existing track and changes to
passenger waiting space.This
carry four tracks beneath the main these junctions will be required
proposal avoids the need to
line to Brighton.The work for this will to accommodate the double
demolish Fielden House and to
require the demolition of part of an track.The work will require
occupy land by New London
existing viaduct and the construction widening of the existing
Bridge House
of an embankment.The railway bridge embankment, partial London Bridge Masterplan -
• continued, limited use of over Bolina Road will be widened; reconstruction of St Johns Vale view from ‘More London’ development
Railway Approach. Under the the road itself will be closed to Bridge and modification of the
1999 scheme it is to be closed to through traffic, although pedestrian footbridge access to St Johns Station.
through-traffic and the majority of access will be maintained by a new The proposals at Tanners Hill are the
it is to be pedestrianised underpass. Crossings of the proposed same as those assessed in 1999.
• provision for a 10-storey office route for the East London Line will
building over the station (to be require one new bridge and the
developed separately to the reconstruction of another.
Thameslink 2000 scheme). The proposals at Bermondsey are
the same as those assessed in 1997.
13Proposals at other stations equipment will be installed at 18 • new track on the new
locations and existing equipment will Borough Viaduct
Provision of twelve-car Thameslink
be upgraded at 34 locations.
services on routes not currently • track re-modelling including new
served by trains of this length will junctions and the removal of
require work (mainly extensions) to Signalling redundant track and junctions to
platforms at 51 other stations The increased frequency of services the east and west of London
(including five in the Inner Area). through central London will require Bridge Station
These extensions will range in length the upgrading of the signalling system. • various track works between
from as little as 1 metre to as much The physical works associated with London Bridge Station and
as 175 metres. Changes in proposed the re-signalling are confined to the Bermondsey
platform extension length from those railway and have negligible
assumed in 1997 and 1999 are the • a disused loop of track at New
environmental implications.
result of refinement of the station Cross Gate to be renovated and
design proposals. Other minor station brought back into use.
Track
works will include alterations to In the Outer Area, changes to the
The majority of changes to the track
footbridges, stop boards, signalling and track will be required at some
will take place in the Inner Area.
electrical equipment. locations to accommodate
In addition to the major track works
platform extensions.
at London Bridge Station,
Power reinforcement Bermondsey and Tanners Hill, the
The increased frequency of other main track works will comprise:
Thameslink services through the Inner
Area, the use of longer trains and the • new track through the tunnels
greater power requirements of the being constructed as part of the
new trains will require an increased CTRL project, to connect the
electrical power supply. New electrical Thameslink line to the East Coast
Main Line
14Alternatives considered during the
development of the scheme
In developing the Thameslink 2000 • alternatives at Farringdon, including
scheme since the early 1990s, a options for platform extensions,
number of alternatives have been were assessed
considered.These are reported in
• an alternative for the
detail in the Alternatives Report of
replacement of 16-26 Borough
the 2004 ES and may be summarised
High Street was proposed
as follows:
• alternative track and platform
• an alternative service pattern for arrangements at London Bridge
Thameslink 2000 was proposed Station were examined.
after 1997
Alternatives were rejected because
• the feasibility of two alternative they did not meet the strategic or
routes, which would avoid works at financial objectives of the project,
Borough Market, was evaluated: were not the most practicable
a tunnel from Bermondsey to options in engineering or operational
Clerkenwell, and an over-ground terms or were considered less
route through Elephant and Castle advantageous in environmental terms,
and Herne Hill compared with the proposed scheme.
• alternatives for various elements
of the Thameslink 2000 works at
Blackfriars were examined,
including options for the roof,
platform configuration, bridge
substructure and north bank
station entrance
15Construction
Thameslink 2000 will take about five Rail services during A limited number of special longer
years to construct following several construction closures will be required including
months of enabling works, such as closure of Blackfriars main line station
It is intended that a weekday
diversion of pipes and cables and for a period of up to four weeks
timetable be maintained that is similar
alterations to buildings, particularly at when trains will not stop there.
to the current schedule, and which
London Bridge Station.The main A 17-day closure of some lines in the
can provide for the same number of
works are currently anticipated to Bermondsey area and other extended
people. Closure of the railway will be
begin in January 2007 and to finish at closures of 76 hours or more over
restricted largely to overnight (4-8
the end of 2011. public holidays will also be required.
hours) or weekend and bank holiday
(32-56 hours) periods, leaving In a change to the 1999 scheme,
services generally free to run as the closure of Blackfriars
normal during the daytime and/or Underground Station for 24 months
weekday hours. is now proposed in order to provide
for enhanced safety of passengers and
Assumed construction programme
workers and to reduce risks to
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Underground services.
Farringdon
Blackfriars
Borough Viaduct
London Bridge
Bermondsey
Tanners Hill
16Planning and environmental adverse environmental effects that Typical construction
management strategy were predicted in 1997 and 1999, activities
as well as those predicted in 2004.
In recognising the long term benefits Construction activities will vary at
of Thameslink 2000, Network Rail each location, but will involve activities
remains keenly aware of the need to Working hours such as demolition, bored piling,
avoid, reduce, remedy or compensate In order to provide safe working excavation, earthworks, erection of
for the adverse environmental effects conditions and to ensure that new structures, track-laying, signalling
of the scheme. A Planning and disruption to existing railway services and electrical installation.
Environmental Management Strategy and operations is kept to a
(PEMS) was adopted by the project practicable minimum, some works will Access
in 1999 to describe, amongst other need to be carried out at night or
The works will be accessed mainly by
things, how environmental impacts weekends. Working hours on specific
road. Where practicable, rail access
arising from construction would be sites will be confirmed as
will also be used; for example,
reduced or mitigated.This has now construction details are refined and in
for track work and delivery of ballast.
been updated to reflect the consultation with local authorities.
Some of the works on the railway
considerable work undertaken by However, typical hours for work
bridge at Blackfriars will also be
Thameslink 2000’s project team to outside the rail corridor will be
accessed by river.
develop mechanisms for controlling between 8am and 6pm Monday to
environmental impact, both at the Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturday.
design stage and during construction.
Network Rail has been attentive to
this enhanced environmental control
and is confident in its ability to
mitigate many of the potential
17Environmental impact assessment
How the environmental The consumption of natural resources An acknowledged specialist addressed
effects of the scheme have and the generation of waste are each of these topics.The topics
been assessed reported on a scheme-wide basis covered the same issues as the 1999
within the ES.They are also ES, although with some changes in
The approach to the EIA remains
considered as part of the separate categories of topic to reflect better
broadly as it was in 1999 and 1997,
sustainability appraisal of the scheme. the requirements of the scheme and
and is described in the Scoping and
to avoid duplicating the reported
Methodology Report of the ES. The remaining scope of the
effects. In particular, built heritage and
assessment was divided into
As before, the first step was to carry townscape issues are combined in
11 topics:
out a scoping exercise, to identify the order to reflect the urban location of
range of issues to be included in the • cultural heritage, namely: the principal works. A separate
EIA process. - archaeology planning report has also been
- landscape, townscape and prepared.This assesses the scheme in
built heritage the context of national, regional and
Topics assessed and
not assessed • natural resources, namely: local planning policy.
The scheme will affect negligible - ecology and biodiversity
In accordance with government
- surface water resources
amounts of agricultural land. guidance, a sustainability report has
- soil and groundwater
Such electro-magnetic radiation that been produced, which describes the
the scheme is likely to produce will • amenity and welfare, namely: findings of a sustainability appraisal of
be significantly below limits for public - air quality (including microclimate) the project. It does not, however, form
exposure set by the European Union, - noise and vibration part of the ES.
amongst others. As a result, and in - visual amenity
line with the 1999 ES, these topics do
- transport and access The assessment of each of these
- local community topics is presented in separate
not form part of the assessment.
- socio-economics. specialist reports that support,
but do not form part of, the ES.
18Consultation Consultation and information and Network Rail’s focus on effective
exercises will continue during the environmental management, many
Since the beginning of the project in
period while the powers for the mitigation measures have already
the early 1990s, there has been wide
scheme are sought, and during the been integrated into the scheme.
consultation on the proposals with
construction period. Such mitigation is accordingly
many people and organisations
assumed by the EIA. Any additional
directly and indirectly affected.
The Environmental measures, which concern principally
These include residents, interest
Statement the control of noise and vibration,
groups, local authorities, consent
are reported in the 2004 ES as
granting bodies, utility companies and The purpose of the ES is to report
mitigation options.
the wider railway industry. the predicted significant
environmental effects of the scheme A distinction is made in the 2004 ES
Revisions to the design of various
and the means of mitigating them. between temporary construction
elements of the scheme have been
A significant effect is one that, in the effects (effects that arise only during
made in response to concerns raised
opinion of the EIA specialists, should the construction process) and
by the people who have been
be brought to the attention of the permanent and/or operational
consulted; for examples, the design of
decision-makers – principally the effects due to permanent
the roof over Blackfriars Station and
Secretary of State (and his appointed features of the scheme or the
the location of the platform
Inspector) and relevant local and running of the Thameslink
extensions at Durrington.
other statutory authorities. 2000 service.
Almost 300 legal commitments have
A significant effect may be beneficial
been agreed with individuals and
or adverse. Wherever a significant
organisations, which will seek to
adverse effect has been predicted,
protect their interests during the
the EIA specialists have sought to
construction of the scheme and
propose mitigation. Given the
during the operation of the
scheme’s long history, however,
enhanced railway.
19The majority of significant effects are Planning and
associated with particular locations. regulatory context
However, some effects may be
The 2004 ES has reported the extent
considered for the scheme as a
to which Thameslink 2000 conforms
whole.These comprise effects that:
to the relevant national, regional and
• concern a resource of local planning and regulatory context.
national significance
Thameslink 2000 proposals conform
• are significant only as an with national government planning
accumulation of many local effects policy to promote sustainable forms
of transportation and reduce reliance
• are relevant only for the scheme
on the car.The scheme would assist
as a whole
local authorities in encouraging
• have a particular bearing on development that is well served by
national or regional public transport and in integrating
government policy. transport and land use planning policy
(as required by national Policy
Planning Guidance (PPG)13).
Considerable attention has been paid
to producing a high quality of design
in new structures (as required by
PPG1) where their impact might be
greatest; i.e. at Blackfriars, Farringdon,
London Bridge and the Borough
Market area.The re-instatement
proposals at Borough Market comply
20with the requirement in PPG15 to In respect of local planning policy, The scheme is consistent with local
minimise the impact on historic there are specific conflicts with plan policies, which encourage
buildings as far as practicable. policies to protect listed buildings improvement to, and increased use
The project’s Archaeological Strategy and conservation areas within LB of rail services to help reduce
conforms to PPG16 in respect of the Southwark and LB Islington, and in dependence on the private car.
recording or preservation of the City of London there is a conflict It is also consistent with the aspiration
archaeological remains. Potential with respect to the St Paul’s Heights for sustainable development that is
impacts on water resources or Limits. However, in the majority of now incorporated in the majority of
from noise have been identified and districts and boroughs where the development plans.The scheme also
appropriate mitigation proposed (in scheme involves significant works, conforms with local planning policy in
conformance respectively with PPG23 there is specific support in adopted respect of regeneration and
and the general objectives of PPG24). and emerging planning policy for employment.The increased
Thameslink 2000. In the majority of accessibility afforded by the scheme
The proposals are also specifically
other local authority areas affected by would assist those local regeneration
supported by regional planning policy
more minor works, support is given initiatives focused on town centres.
guidance for the South East (RPG 9),
either for Thameslink 2000 specifically
East Anglia (RPG 6), the London Plan,
or for improvement to the rail
and strategic transportation policies
infrastructure generally.
within the structure plans and local
transport plans for Bedfordshire,
Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire,
Norfolk, West Sussex, East Sussex,
Brighton and Hove, Surrey and Kent.
21Scheme-wide and strategic effects
Beneficial scheme-wide and facilities with the CTRL at St Pancras Regeneration and growth
strategic effects Midland Road and with Crossrail, In London, relief by Thameslink 2000
if developed, at Farringdon. of the chronic congestion now
Thameslink 2000 will give rise to a
range of beneficial effects across Thameslink 2000 will reduce evident in parts of the public
London, the South East and the East passenger crowding on many existing transport system will remove what
of England.These are described here. services at peak times, particularly on would otherwise become a deterrent
the current Thameslink route to to investment in the Capital.
Improved accessibility and Bedford and on the Great Northern Thameslink 2000 will support and
reduced overcrowding line.Thameslink 2000 will also reduce enhance the economies of the
Thameslink 2000 will bring about crowding on the Underground by regions served by Thameslink and will
significantly improved accessibility reducing the need to interchange and benefit international passengers by
both to central London and to the by providing more capacity from improving accessibility to Gatwick and
places served north and south of north to south across London. Luton Airports (in accordance with
central London.This is due to the
the London Plan) and by providing an
additional number of destinations, Switch from road to rail important interchange facility with the
the more frequent services and the It is expected that there would be an Channel Tunnel Rail Link at St Pancras.
reduced journey times. Accessibility increase in the use of public transport
will also be improved by enhanced By significantly increasing the number
throughout the South East and East
interchange facilities with London of passengers that can be taken to
of England as a result of the project;
Underground, particularly at and from a number of key stations at
this would be equivalent to about
Farringdon, Blackfriars and London peak times,Thameslink 2000 will help
25,000 additional rail journeys in the
Bridge Stations, where the severe support objectives for increased
morning peak hours. A proportion of
congestion currently experienced will employment and housing in areas
them would be people switching
be significantly reduced.Thameslink designated by the Government for
from car to train.
2000 will create new interchange regeneration and/or growth,
22particularly around Luton, Bedford Support of long-term Adverse scheme-wide
and Cambridge. employment and strategic effects
In the morning peak hour, the
The regeneration and improved Loss of cultural heritage
Thameslink 2000 services will offer
accessibility brought about by
over 7,000 more seats into London Works in the Borough Market
Thameslink 2000 are expected to
than are available today.This increased area will potentially impact upon
underpin additional employment
capacity is expected to attract more Roman and mediaeval remains
benefits for areas around Luton and
people into the capital, which will, considered to be of national
Brighton and Hove, each of which
in turn, support employment- importance, since they represent
have wards containing higher than
generating development, particularly the development of Southwark as
average unemployment.
at Farringdon, Blackfriars and London a key component of the historic
Bridge. With the employment growth of London.
Jobs supported during
construction generated directly within retail and
Several buildings and structures
other facilities at the stations,
The construction of Thameslink 2000 at the inner London sites that,
particularly at London Bridge,
will create directly the equivalent of through their heritage and
this will significantly outweigh the
some 11,500 person years of condition, are listed for their
150 or so jobs that are predicted to
temporary employment. It will also national importance will be
be lost permanently as a result of
create indirectly, as a result of its demolished or directly impacted by
the scheme’s direct impacts on
demands for goods and services the scheme.The settings of several
businesses in areas affected by the
and of expenditure by those people other listed buildings will be
construction works.
employed in its construction, adversely affected. In combination
an additional 5,750 person years these impacts will remove a small
of induced employment. part of London’s heritage.
These effects are described in
greater detail later in the non-
technical summary.
23Model of construction noise
Noise during construction
and operation
Construction noise will temporarily
affect approximately 140 residential
properties during the day and
approximately 3,300 at night.
About 40 commercial properties
will be affected by daytime
construction noise.
The operation of Thameslink 2000 is
predicted to result in significant
daytime noise increases at 44
residential properties and 14
commercial properties; at night, 32
residential properties will be similarly
affected.Thameslink 2000 will operate
along 150 miles of track, however,
and in this context the total number
of people subject to significant noise
impacts is extremely low.
Changes in traffic flow, particularly
at Farringdon and London Bridge,
will result in both increases and and not considered significant, and approximately 80 properties will
decreases in road traffic noise levels. whilst the decrease in road traffic benefit from reduced noise levels.
The increase in traffic noise is limited noise levels is considered significant,
24Environmental effects at Farringdon Station
The conclusions of the 2004 ES are provide an overall benefit for the Cardinal Tower car park, will
not substantially different to those community living and working around constitute a temporary effect,
reported in the 1999 ES. the station. although this must be viewed in
There is more information about the the context of local planning
The several thousand additional seats
impacts on archaeology.There are policy which generally
on trains into central London in the
also some revisions associated with discourages private car use.
morning peak hour will support
changes in land use and baseline
employment-generating development Construction will have a
information, such as traffic flows and
at Farringdon.The 40 or so jobs temporary adverse effect on the
ambient noise.
predicted to be lost to the area as setting of listed buildings, on the
a result of physical impacts on character of conservation areas
Beneficial effects businesses should be viewed in and of the townscape overall,
The pedestrianised Cowcross Street this context. and on local views of
together with the new Thameslink St Paul’s Cathedral.
2000 Station and refurbished
Adverse effects Permanent adverse effects on
entrance to the Underground station
There will be significant disruption the area’s cultural heritage will
will result in an enhancement of the
during construction due to noise, arise as a result of the
townscape character around
vibration, visual intrusion and, demolition of the listed 54-60
Farringdon Station.
potentially, dust. A combination of Cowcross Street and of the
The pedestrianisation will also these impacts on Cowcross and impact of works on any possible
enhance pedestrian access, improve Turnmill streets will adversely affect archaeological remains.
visual amenity in the station and on the local community. Any archaeological investigation that
Cowcross and Greville streets, and is undertaken beforehand and that
The loss of some 150 car parking
decrease traffic noise at some leads to publication, while not
spaces over about three months, and
locations on Cowcross Street and compensating for the impact,
loss of half of these over 30 months
Turnmill Street.These changes will would be a benefit.
as a result of works affecting the
25Environmental effects at Blackfriars Station
The changes to the proposals at The proposed closure of the The listed southern abutment of the
Blackfriars Station will result in some Underground station for 24 months former West Blackfriars and St Paul’s
different conclusions as reported in during construction has been Rail Bridge will be reconstructed
the 1999 ES.The replacement of proposed for safety and operational around the new bridge span.
167-179 Queen Victoria Street with a reasons and this will help to reduce The appreciation of this structure will
new building of similar scale and the the overall construction period. be enhanced by its re-incorporation
removal of the proposed vent shaft However, it will result in new as part of an operational railway.
from the traffic island will provide temporary adverse transport impacts.
Some beneficial effects on visual
new visual benefits and will also
amenity are predicted in the long
eliminate two significant adverse Beneficial effects term as a result of the redeveloped
effects on built heritage reported by
In the long term, there will be clear station on the north bank and, in
the 1999 ES.The revised design for
public transport improvements in particular, the high quality design of
the station roof will result in no
terms of both additional main line the replacement building.
different conclusions from the 1999 ES.
services and enhanced interchange
Amidst the generally adverse
with the Underground.
operational noise effects, there will be
The redeveloped station, in particular
a reduction in wheel squeal noise.
the new footbridge on the north
bank and the new station entrance
on the south bank, will enable much Adverse effects
easier access to rail services, especially There will be significant disruption
for those whose mobility is impaired. during construction due to noise,
with residents living in the vicinity of
The several thousand additional seats
the railway on the south bank of the
on trains into central London in the
river and workers in offices similarly
morning peak hour will support
located on the north bank particularly
employment-generating development
affected. In the long term, the
at Blackfriars.
26increased frequency and length of issue for those people whose mobility Excavation on both sides of the
trains will result in significant noise is impaired. Any measures to mitigate river may impact archaeological
increases during the day for offices these potential effects will need to be remains, including waterfront
and a few residential properties facing agreed with Transport for London. structures that might be
onto the railway. They are likely to include the preserved within the site.
provision of additional bus services Any prior investigation that leads
Construction activity will also
and passenger information, such as to publication, while not
result in visual intrusion, which,
alternative routes and travel options. compensating for the archaeological
together with construction noise
impact, would be a benefit.
impacts, will adversely affect the The main line station will also be
residential and leisure community subject to a temporary closure of up Construction activity will result in
at Thames Bankside. to four weeks requiring Thameslink temporary adverse effects on the
passengers to use City Thameslink setting and/or integrity of a number
The closure of the Underground
Station, 250 metres to the north, of listed structures and on local
station over 24 months will cause
during this time. townscape character. In the long term,
disruption to the travelling public
the southern part of the bridge roof
during construction. It will exert Construction work on the
will intrude into a limited number of
pressure on existing bus services in south bank over about two years
views of St Paul’s Cathedral, affecting
the area and on other main line and will require temporary closure of
its setting, as well as some locally
Underground stations. It will also the river path and the diversion of
designated views of the Tate Modern
result in increased numbers of people pedestrians via Southwark Street.
and Tower Bridge.
walking over Waterloo Bridge, along This will add some 400 metres to
the Strand and Fleet Street, and along their journey and more for people The new roof will also adversely
Queen Victoria Street around whose mobility is impaired, who will affect the views across and along the
Mansion House Underground Station. need to be diverted further, along river for people near to it on the
The increased walking distances that Upper Ground. Blackfriars Road Bridge and in some
will be required would be a particular apartments on the south bank.
27Environmental effects of the
viaduct at Borough Market
The conclusions drawn in the 2004 Borough High Street. In a The possible closure of Borough High
ES are not substantially different to development from the 1999 scheme, Street, which is a very busy road, over
those reported in the 1999 ES. this group is to be replaced in a bank holiday weekend, will result in
The impacts of the scheme on the accordance with the planning very short-term disruption to traffic.
area’s built heritage and townscape application for 16-26 Borough High
There will be significant disruption
are reduced (although they remain Street. Other listed buildings affected
during construction due to noise,
significant) by the four replacement include the Wheatsheaf pub, which is
vibration, dust and visual impact.
structures that are now proposed. partially demolished, and 1-13 Park
A combination of these impacts on
There is a greater knowledge now Street the backs and interiors of
Borough High Street will adversely
about the potential impacts on which will be directly impacted.
affect the local community.
archaeology as a result of Other listed buildings will be affected
investigations undertaken since 2001. in terms of their setting, including the A number of properties and other
There are also some revisions Globe pub and 5 Stoney Street. locations around the viaduct will be
associated with new baseline affected in the long term by the
Some buildings that are designated
information; for example the changed views in the area brought
for their local importance will be
publication in 2003 of LB Southwark’s about by the new buildings and
directly affected including 5-9 Stoney
conservation area appraisals. viaduct, and by increased noise from
Street, the Borough Market roof and
the more frequent and longer trains.
Aside from the slight benefits 11-15 Borough High Street (the latter
potentially associated with publishing to be replaced in accordance with the The permanent loss of residential
the findings of any prior investigations, planning application). property in the area will be a loss
archaeological effects associated with to the community, as will the loss of
Excavation and piling may impact
the Borough Viaduct will be adverse. King’s medical clinic on Borough High
archaeological remains of national
Street and the Ticket Place on Railway
The new viaduct will require the importance, including Roman and
Approach, for which there are no
demolition of the listed group of medieval structures that might be
immediate local alternatives.
buildings at 7 Bedale Street, 1, 3 and preserved within the site.
5 Green Dragon Court and 16-26
28Environmental effects at
London Bridge Station
The scheme assessed in 2004 is Proposed measures to calm traffic, Reduced noise from train
substantially different to that assessed enhance pedestrian access and “wheel squeal” is also predicted
in 1999, Network Rail having now control parking will all provide at some locations.
adopted the Masterplan proposals, significant benefits for pedestrians.
Although some 40 jobs are expected
which involve a complete With the improved visual
to be lost to the area around London
redevelopment of London Bridge environment on Tooley Street and
Bridge and Borough High Street as
Station. Environmental impacts St Thomas Street, the reduced noise
result of physical impacts on
associated with Masterplan will offer and the improved station facilities,
businesses, some 390 jobs will be
substantial benefits compared with the local community, including
created by new retail and other
those reported for London Bridge in Guy’s Hospital, will experience
facilities within the redeveloped
1999 owing to the substantial long-term benefits.
London Bridge Station.The scheme
improvements at the station.
The new station will improve the will in addition provide substantial
immediate townscape. In particular, support for employment-generating
Beneficial effects its façade on Tooley Street will developments in the vicinity of
There are numerous transport enhance the setting of a number of the station.
benefits associated with the listed buildings.The exposure of the
development. Public transport will existing internal brick vaults will Adverse effects
be greatly improved through the enable greater appreciation of the
Disruption during construction from
additional train services of Thameslink original station structure.
noise, traffic and visual impacts will
2000, as well as through improved
Changes in traffic flow that result affect residents, office workers and
facilities for interchange with buses,
from the loss of Stainer and Weston tourists, particularly on St Thomas and
taxis and the Underground.The new
streets will result in some significant Tooley Streets, as well as at
station will provide a significantly
noise reductions on parts of Guy’s Hospital, which is likely to
improved pedestrian environment
St Thomas Street and Tooley Street. experience dust impacts in addition.
that allows easier access between
St Thomas Street and Tooley Street.
30The closure of Stainer Street and Piling and other excavations may
Weston Street will divert significant cause impacts to locally important
amounts of traffic onto Bermondsey archaeological remains that are
Street and Tooley Street during believed to be preserved within
construction and in the long-term. the site. Although not compensating
Closure of the bus station for about for this, any prior archaeological
10 weekends during construction will investigation that leads to publication
adversely affect passengers; this will would be a benefit.
be mitigated however, by retaining up
Construction work will have
to half the bus stands and by
temporary impacts on the setting of
providing convenient and clearly
some listed structures and on the
signposted alternatives nearby or by
character of the conservation areas,
undertaking works at night.
as well as on the overall townscape
In the long term, the Thameslink 2000 character. Long-term adverse effects
service will give rise to significant on built heritage will include the loss
noise increases for a number of of the listed train shed at its present
properties on London Bridge Street. site.The demolition of the South
Eastern Railway Offices on Tooley
The station redevelopment will
Street will adversely affect the
potentially cause the permanent loss
character of the conservation area
to the area of the Britain at
and the setting of the listed
War Museum, which will constitute a
Shipwright’s Arms pub.The over-
significant loss to the commercial and
station office development will have
tourist community since there is no
an adverse impact on the strategic
immediate alternative in the vicinity.
view of St Paul’s from Parliament Hill.
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