Initial Thameslink works announced

Network Rail have a press release announcing the awarding of contracts for initial works for the Thameslink Programme. They are:

• Farringdon station - "replacement of the existing interchange bridge, construction of part of a new station entrance & concourse on Turnmill Street and other minor works on emergency access / escape routes and cable diversions"
• Borough Market viaduct - "minor works to enhance facilities at Borough Market and will also provide a new temporary market hall alongside the existing wholesale market" (previously announced)
• Blackfriars station - "a wide range of advance works at and around the existing National Rail and Underground stations and on the railway bridge across the River Thames "

This is all preparatory work that will happen this year, ready for the main construction work from 2009 to 2011.

How Farringdon Crossrail will work

New London Architecture have an exhibition on at the moment about Underground London, and included in the brochure is this diagram of Farringdon Crossrail station (the labels are my doing).

It shows how the station will connect into both Farringdon and Barbican tube stations, and how at the Farringdon end it incorporates the southern platform extensions and ticket hall that are being added as part of Thameslink Programme (shown in light green).