South Kensington station overhaul takes major step forward
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The overhaul of South Kensington Tube station has taken a major step forward after a minister meeting this week. Kensington and Bayswater MP, Joe Powell, met with tourism minister Chris Bryant, as well as representatives from TfL, nearby museums, hospitals and Kensington and Chelsea council in Parliament on Thursday in a bid to finally get the controversial project the funding it needs.
The terminal is London’s 13th busiest with 30 million journeys every year. It is also the gateway to some of the capital’s most visited sights, including the Natural History Museum and V&A. But Transport for London estimates another 500,000 journeys that would go through the station each year do not because it has no step free access.
It wants to make upgrades that will make South Kensington comparable to the Metro station that serves the Louvre in Paris, but needs to raise £60million from government to fund them. Mr Powell told the Standard: “This was the first time we have got everyone in one place who can make this [development] happen. We left feeling this can now happen.
“It’s a big step forward and we will be campaigning to get the money needed confirmed in the spending review.”. TfL won its battle to redevelop the Grade-II listed building in 2023 station after the government overruled Kensington and Chelsea council’s block on the scheme.
Plans include 50 new homes, offices and restaurants and a building dubbed “The Bullnose” because of its distinctive shape. However the development cannot go ahead until “vital” upgrades are made to the station, including making it step-free and adding a new accessible entrance on historic Thurloe Street.
