The redeveloped station will have a new concourse bigger than the pitch at Wembley, which will sit underneath the tracks at street level. Two new entrances will be constructed on Tooley Street and St Thomas Street, improving links between the areas around the station.

Coupled with changes and improvements to the rail infrastructure around the station, the investment in the area will mark the final phase of the Thameslink programme to deliver longer trains and more frequent services to more destinations.

Network Rail will be seeking the views of station users, local residents and businesses, before submitting a planning application for the redevelopment. Kicking off the consultation process will be an exhibition on the main station concourse between 8am-7pm from Tuesday 17th to Friday 20th, and again between 8am-2pm on Saturday 21st May. Network Rail’s London Bridge team will be on hand to answer questions about the project and explain the benefits it will bring.

Martin Jurkowski, Network Rail’s project director leading the London Bridge redevelopment, said: “Passengers want more space, less congestion and a station that is easier to get around in – as well as a better, more reliable rail service. Our proposals for London Bridge deliver all these benefits and more.

“We want to know what people think of our plans and I would encourage anyone who wants to know more to come along speak to the team in person.”

People can find out more about Network Rail’s plans and submit their comments online at www.networkrail.co.uk/thameslink.

The complex, five year construction project, is planned to get underway fully in 2013 and is scheduled to be completed in 2018. Features and benefits include:

A new concourse at street level, with entrances on Tooley Street and St Thomas Street. As well as improving access to the station, this will help continue the regeneration of the surrounding area by better connecting north and south
The concourse will be filled with natural light, that will come through the canopies that will cover the platforms above, making a more pleasant environment for passengers
Step-free access to all platforms from the main concourse, making the station easier to use – especially for people with reduced mobility, or those with luggage or small children
Space for around two thirds more passengers than use the station today
An increase in the number of tracks going through the station from six to nine and a reduction from nine to six in the number of terminating platforms. This will enable eighteen of the planned 24 Thameslink services per hour to call at London Bridge.