The first mainline station to be built in London for more than a decade welcomed its first passengers this morning.

Brent Cross West is a new Thameslink station in North London situated between Cricklewood and Hendon stations on the Midland Main Line.  It is the gateway to a new neighbourhood Brent Cross Town, a 180-acre, net zero development being delivered in partnership between Barnet Council and Related Argent.

A number of eager passengers braved the chilly December conditions to be the first to arrive at the new station in the early morning. They were joined by members of Barnet Council and its partners.  Several teams at the council have spent some years working on the station project, making Barnet one of the first local authorities in England to deliver a rail infrastructure project.

One of the key features of the new station is the public overbridge which now provides the first pedestrian access across this stretch of the Midland Main Line since it was first built in the 19th century.  Passengers are also now able to connect to central London in as little as 12 minutes.

The opening day turned into something of a celebration.  Not only were rail enthusiasts drawn to the location but hundreds of other people also turned out to mark the opening of the facility.  Barnet Council has laid on music as well as family-friendly activities to mark the occasion,

The project was enabled after Barnet Council secured £419m of government funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. They have been supported by Mace, who have project-managed the programme and the station was built by VolkerFitzpatrick. Network Rail was also a key delivery partner.

As well as delivering the 7,000 sq ft station, hundreds of metres of tracks needed to be reconfigured with new, modern railway sidings delivered. Teams needed to navigate the complexities of working on a live railway, as well as challenges faced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Brent Cross West is part of the biggest redevelopment and growth programme Barnet Council has ever undertaken and one of the most ambitious in Europe. It is expected to unlock wider development and has been designed as a gateway to Brent Cross Town which will deliver 6,700 new homes, 3m sq ft of offices creating space for 25,000 employees, along with a new high street.

Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council, said: “The opening of Brent Cross West marks the end of a significant journey for Barnet Council and our partners and is a huge achievement. For existing communities, it provides new ways to get around the area and more sustainable travel options, while also unlocking the opportunity to bring much needed homes and jobs to the area.”

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, added: “Brent Cross West station, the first major new mainline station in London in over a decade, will be transformative for northwest London, better connecting Brent Cross with the rest of the capital and unlocking wider development in the area. The station will serve as a gateway to a Brent Cross Town, a brand-new neighbourhood delivering new homes, creating jobs, and aiming to be net zero by 2030.

“Investment in London and in London’s transport network is critical in driving economic recovery in both the capital and the rest of the country. That’s why I’m delighted about the opening of this new station and development, which supports my aim to continue building a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”

Mark Pavlides, Interim Chief Customer Officer for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “A huge ‘thank you’ to Barnet Council for leading the construction of this magnificent station, and to all the development partners we’ve worked with to ensure it meets the area’s needs sustainably. We’re excited and honoured to be welcoming customers here, and providing fast, frequent trains to whisk people into central London and beyond. Welcome also to everyone using the public footbridge that now connects Barnet and Brent – we’re really looking forward to becoming part of the local community.”

Jake Kelly, Regional Managing Director for Network Rail’s Eastern Region, added: “We’re thrilled to see the opening of Brent Cross West station, allowing more people to sustainably travel to and from the centre of London and beyond. We have worked closely with Barnet Council and other key stakeholders to deliver this incredible project and I believe that the finished station is something that the local community can be proud of.”

André Gibbs, Partner of Related Argent said: “The opening of the new Brent Cross West station is a major milestone for Brent Cross Town, one of Europe’s largest new net zero neighbourhoods. There are six buildings currently under construction including close to 1,000 new homes with the first residents set to move in from the middle of 2024. The station will be a major gateway to the new business and innovation district connecting Brent Cross Town to the Knowledge Quarter in King’s Cross and the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, with 5.2 million working people within a 60-minute commute. Congratulations to Barnet Council and the delivery team who have provided a key station for London’s growth.”

Davendra Dabasia, COO for Mace Consult, noted: “It’s not often London sees a brand-new station come to life, so this is a special moment for the city and the rail sector. And, while this fantastic station will have the immediate impact of enhancing connectivity for local people, it’s exciting for us at Mace to be at the heart of something that is sparking a much wider regeneration opportunity that will benefit Londoners but those in the South East, Midlands and the North as well. Brent Cross West Station is a testament to infrastructure’s role as a catalyst for growth.”

James Hindes, Managing Director for VolkerFitzpatrick, commented: We are delighted to have been part of this ambitious project, for Barnet Council. Our team has engaged locally, collecting food donations, and renovating community facilities. We are proud to have provided local employment opportunities, work experience placements and apprenticeships, over the course of the project, building a lasting legacy for generations to come.”