Network Rail’s proposal for a major redevelopment of London Bridge station has been awarded formal planning consent.

The decision means that from 2018 over 90m passengers a year - a 35m increase - will be able to travel through a brand new, state-of-the-art railway station.

The plans are part of the second stage of the Thameslink programme to unlock much needed capacity on London’s rail network, and allow more services to travel to and through the capital.

By changing the way the station works for passengers and the community, the redevelopment will remove a critical railway bottleneck as well as creating better pedestrian connectivity between Tooley Street and St Thomas Street.

Network Rail’s chief executive David Higgins said: “Our work will see the transformation of one of London’s oldest and highly congested railway terminus. The London Bridge project is a critical part of the £6bn Thameslink Programme. It is only by remodeling London Bridge station that we can allow the new fleet of 12-car trains to operate at a metro-frequency on the Thameslink route. The project will also cover over 46 miles of new track laid in the 4.3 mile approach to the station.

“As well as bringing a better rail service to Southwark, we hope that the construction programme itself will help support the local community. How we build is as important as what we build and we are committed to a number of schemes such as local employment, supply chains and community engagement as well as setting up a workplace diversity and inclusion plan.”

New street-level entrances on Tooley Street and St Thomas Street, as well as a permanent 24-hour pedestrian walkway through Stainer Street, will create better connectivity with strong links across the station linking north and south. This further supports the role that the station plays in bringing regeneration to Southwark.