Rebuilding of London Bridge station has entered a crucial phase with a nine day blockade of two platforms which began on Saturday.

Costain, Balfour Beatty and Siemens are currently working alongside Network Rail to carry out track and signalling work to allow newly rebuilt platforms 12 and 13 to be brought back into use.

A three track bridge on the approach to London Bridge is also being replaced during the closure.

Platforms 10 and 11 are next to be demolished and rebuilt as the station's redevelopment – part of the £6.5Bn Thameslink upgrade programme – moves from one side to the other.

Works above ground take place as construction of a new passenger concourse, larger in size than the football pitch at Wembley, continues beneath. Redevelopment of London Bridge station is expected to complete in 2018 to improve throughput of rail services and boost capacity.

Network Rail spokesman Nicky Hughes said: “London Bridge is one of the country’s busiest stations and we are rebuilding it piece by piece to transform north-south travel through London.

"This is a huge challenge and we are doing as much of the construction work as we can behind the scenes. But there will be times when we have to temporarily divert services around the track we are replacing.”

Disruption is likely to affect 50,000 commuters every hour. First Capital Connect and Southern services are not stopping at London Bridge until next Monday.

(Photo: Network Rail)

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