Yesterday, 2nd September 2021, Network Rail invited RailAdvent to see the opening of a new entrance to Denmark Hill station in London, the first carbon-positive upgrade of its kind in Europe after the work, which cost around £7.5m

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris, was joined by comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig and representatives from Network Rail, GTR, the Camberwell Society, Kings College and Maudsley NHS hospitals as well as actress Daniele Arthur-Kennedy, who read out ‘The Test’, a poem from Una Marson, which is now displayed at the station.

The Department for Transport funded the work, which is designed to relieve station crowding, which was said to sometimes mean a 10 minute wait to leave the station.

Denmark Hill station and cycle hub also include a new photovoltaic film which has been fitted to the new roof, which is able to produce more energy than the building needs, and will put the spare back into the national grid.

The new entrance and exit will mean that the 15,000 patients and staff will have 200m less to walk to the Kings College and Maudsley Hospitals. The Maudsley Hospital is due to reopen in 2023 after major work is finished.

The wall on Windsor Walk is listed, and has been rebuilt to its original design, partly funded by The Railway Heritage Trust.

The entrance also includes a range of art thanks to Godfried Donkor, who use traditional adinkra symbols from Ghana.

The station upgrade has been shortlisted for two 2021 National Rail Awards – ‘Infrastructure Project of the Year’ and ‘Sustainable Development of the Year’.

Rail Minister Chris Heaton Harris said: “This upgrade transforms a Victorian station into a modern experience for passengers – cutting crowding, improving access, and introducing new space for cyclists and artwork.

“Making this new extension to Denmark Hill the first ‘carbon positive’ upgrade by utilising innovative solar technology also demonstrates our ambition to ensure our rail network is greener for passengers and better for our environment.”

Network Rail’s Southern Region Managing Director, John Halsall, said:  “The work we’ve done at Denmark Hill was ground-breaking in terms of upgrades to existing Victorian infrastructure in many ways, fusing the modern with the old, and above all making it accessible and user-friendly for passengers.

“The new upgrade is highly sustainable, using solar energy solutions that actually produce more power than the station upgrade needs to run, so we can put power back to the grid.

“We’ve managed to complete this project on time and on budget despite the impact of Covid, and that’s testament to our relationship with GTR, the Camberwell Society, and the Salvation Army for lending us part of their site for the works.”

Lorcan Woods, Chief Financial Officer and sustainability lead at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said, “We are delighted to have contributed towards the new cycle hub at Denmark Hill station. As part of our Active Travel Plan, we are committed to providing additional bike storage for staff who cycle to work and supporting local residents in our community to live an active lifestyle. Climate and health are fundamentally linked, and our new Strong Roots, Global Reach strategy seeks to address both.”

David Bradley, Chief Executive of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The improved access to our campus will make a big difference to people who use our services, their carers and families, and our staff who use Denmark Hill station to travel to work. The improvement work has supported our vision to improve services and our estate for local people.”

Nick Mair, Chair of the Camberwell Society, said: “We’re delighted with the collaborative experience of this project. Working with Network Rail, the project team and the Camberwell community we have created a unique welcome at Denmark Hill station reflecting Camberwell’s history and culture.”

Network Rail has worked closely in collaboration with train operating companies GTR and Great Northern to develop and design the scheme and has also worked with the Salvation Army which has provided space at its Champion Hill site for the project team, helping to minimise the impact of the works.

Tom Moran, Managing Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said: “We are delighted to welcome this major investment in Denmark Hill.

“It doesn’t just ensure more comfort and convenience for many years to come, it also supports our commitment to make our stations more accessible, attractive and sustainable for the local communities we serve. It’s also a great showcase for what the rail industry can do in partnership with local employers and community groups to build back better and greener.

“The fabulous artwork helps to link this new north entrance to the south side of the station, where the Camberwell Society have installed a magical gallery of sculptures as part of our network-wide improvement programme.”

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