A key milestone has been reached at the new Brent Cross West railway station, as the first piles were put in the ground last week.

The work, being delivered by VolkerFitzpatrick, involves concrete being pumped 15 metres below ground before a reinforced cage is put in place to house the future foundations.

Over the next seven weeks, 135 piles will be installed, with the concrete pumped under the track using specially installed undertrack crossings. These crossings have been installed specifically for the project and allow the railway to keep running whilst works take place.

 The first phase of piling is taking place where the slow platforms will eventually be, with two piling rigs on site, each installing two piles per day.

The new £40 million state-of-the-art station is a key element of the ambitious Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration programme. Once completed, the station will connect Brent Cross to central London, with up to eight trains every hour.

In addition to offering journeys to Kings Cross St Pancras in under 15 minutes, Brent Cross West will play a key role in uniting the areas north and south of the North Circular, providing direct rail services to Luton and Gatwick Airports, and connecting to the wider London transport network. Locally, a new pedestrian bridge will provide communities from both sides of the tracks new walking and cycle access across the railway line for the first time since it was built over 150 years ago.

Work to clear the site began in June 2019, with the main works to build the station due for completion in 2022.

Councillor Daniel Thomas, leader of Barnet Council, said: “The new station is at the heart of our vision for the area, which will connect Barnet’s new park town to central London and beyond. After years of work and planning, we have reached this key landmark, which marks the official start of construction, on time - despite challenges faced by the pandemic. Between now and the end of 2022, Barnet Council and VolkerFitzpatrick will be working hard on construction, bringing the station opening closer to reality.”

Matthew Wilson, VolkerFitzpatrick contracts manager said: “The start of piling work marks the first major construction phase for  VolkerFitzpatrick, and our teams are already working hard to ensure all 135 piles are installed over the next seven weeks, whilst also making sure we maintain the highest standards of health and safety. Our aim, as we build this new station, is to help provide residents of Brent Cross with new and better links to London, as well as access to the communities on either side of the railway line.”