A second entrance has been opened at Hackney Central station to ease congestion, and provide better access to Hackney town centre, Hackney Downs station, and local bus services.

The £3 million scheme provided a new entrance on Graham Road. It was delivered collaboratively with funding by the Department for Transport (DfT), and was delivered by Arriva Rail London and Network Rail.

The new entrance provides direct access to the westbound platform and includes a new covered gate line, two new ticket vending machines, and additional cycle storage.

Station lighting has been upgraded to LED technology,  and a living roof has been built on both the new station building and cycle storage, along with a green wall and new trees in the customer area.

There is now a convenient interchange to local bus stops on Graham Road, whilst an information screen next to the station exit provides live next bus information to help with onward connections. A new pedestrian crossing makes it safer to cross the road for buses heading towards Dalston. A new water fountain and food and drink kiosk have also been opened.

The new entrance is a response to the growing popularity of London Overground services in Hackney, which saw passenger numbers rise by around 10 per cent in the two years prior to the pandemic. An easier, more direct interchange with Hackney Downs will also assist customers when changing between London Overground services and provide a quicker route to the new entrance. It is anticipated that around 35 per cent of customers will make use of the new entrance.

Last year, Hackney Council collaborated with Network Rail for a Windrush art exhibition on the railway bridge.

Mayor of Hackney Philip Glanville said:

“The new station entrance at Hackney Central on Council-owned land is much-needed and a big milestone in our plans for the town centre. This shows what can be achieved with effective partnership working and we know easing congestion at the existing station entrance is a huge priority for local people who use the station regularly.

“The station will be further enhanced by the new pedestrian crossing and facilities such as a new water fountain, cycle storage and the new food and drink kiosk run by Mother, and the new entrance will open up more convenient access to the town centre and improve the interchange with Hackney Downs station.”

Rory O’Neill, TfL’s General Manager for London Overground, said:

“This new station entrance is a fantastic addition for customers using Hackney Central station. Providing direct access between the town centre and the westbound platform along with an easier interchange with Hackney Downs station, I am confident these improvements will prove popular and add to the continued success of London Overground services in Hackney and east London.”

The Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said:

“I’m pleased to see the opening of the new entrance at Hackney Central station today. This major improvement will ease congestion as more people return to using Overground services. It will also provide more direct walking access to the town centre and additional bike storage to help encourage greener and more sustainable journeys to and from the station – supporting the Mayor’s vision to create a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable London for everyone.

“This upgrade to Hackney Central is the latest in a series of fantastic improvements to London’s public transport network this year, following the upgrade to Bank station on the London Underground and the opening of the new Elizabeth line. I will continue to call on the Government to agree a fair, sustainable, long-term funding deal for TfL to ensure that we can protect and continue to invest in London’s transport network.”

Paul Hutchings, Managing Director of Arriva Rail London, said:

“We are so pleased to open the second entrance at Hackney Central today, making the station safer by reducing congestion around the existing entrance and on platform two. This will not only enhance our customers’ experience when travelling through the station, it will improve our ability to run a punctual service.”