Brent Cross West: See London's newest train station - opening date announced

Residents in a north-west London neighbourhood will soon be able to enjoy improved transport connections, as the capital’s newest station has been given an opening date.

Brent Cross West station, part of a wider regeneration project delivering homes and other amenities to the area, is set to begin welcoming services on December 10.

The new station will host four platforms, and will sit between Cricklewood and Hendon on the Midland Main Line. Regular Thameslink trains will mean passengers can travel into central London in 12 minutes, with up to eight per hour at peak times.

The station will have direct connections to Luton Airport, as well as giving travellers a connection to the Elizabeth line via Farringdon. A new footbridge meanwhile will enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross over the tracks, "linking communities on both sides of the station", according to the project's webpage.

Barnet Council expects two million people will use the station in its first year.

Its construction is key to providing access to Brent Cross Town, a major project delivering up to 6,700 new homes and a new high street. The wider regeneration plans also include revitalising the Brent Cross shopping centre, which was first opened more than 40 years ago in 1976.

The project is being led by Barnet Council, and operated by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). It is believed to be one of the first rail projects in the country delivered entirely by a local authority.

Cllr Alan Schneiderman, cabinet member for environment and climate change, and Cricklewood ward member, said: “The new Brent Cross West station is fundamental to our plans to transform the local area.

"We look forward to this impressive new station opening soon, providing new ways for people to visit our brilliant borough and additional, sustainable ways for local people to travel.”

Keith Jipps, infrastructure director for GTR, said: “We’re looking forward to Brent Cross West becoming part of the Thameslink network. Our station and train service teams are busy behind the scenes getting ready to welcome new customers.”