Redevelopment of King's Cross railway station has finally come to a close with the official opening of a huge public square in front of the main entrance.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Network Rail chief executive Sir David Higgins oversaw proceedings, marked by the pulling of a Victorian railway signal lever and explosion of streamer canons.

King's Cross Square, as it is now known, is a 7000m² public space that will include areas reserved for public art and a lighting scheme designed to show off the station's architectural features, including the recently uncovered Lewis Cubitt facade which had been hidden from view for over a century.

The public space stands partly on the site of a former 1970s covered concourse, which was recently demolished.

Opening of King's Cross Square is the final part of a £550M redevelopment of the station to be completed. It follows the renovation of the original station building and platforms and the construction of a new Western departures concourse, which opened to passengers in March 2012. 

Boris Johnson said: "The transformation of King's Cross is not only beautiful but it has also triggered all sorts of regeneration, with new jobs, huge numbers of homes being built and businesses relocating here.

"What has emerged is a fantastic open space which has led to the creation of a whole new vibrant district. If you support good transport links the jobs and growth will follow."

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