London’s newest railway station is due to welcome its first passengers later this year after systems were successfully put through their paces.

You might think catching a train was simple, but Brent Cross West - a new stop between Cricklewood and Hendon on the Midland Main Line - has had to pass a range of safety and technical tests.

Thameslink trains arrived and departed over two weeks of overnight trials, with essential tests to ensure passengers could safely board and alight and trains come and go.

 

Brent Cross West next stop

 

On-board passenger information displays were also tested, with the station name added to arrival announcements and route diagrams.

Brent Cross West is being built by a Barnet Council-led development partnership, in association with Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to serve the fast-growing area of Northwest London.

Thameslink will manage the new station and operate its services of up to eight trains per hour.

A CGI of Brent Cross West station

A CGI of Brent Cross West station

 

The tests were conducted jointly by GTR’s station project team and the ASLEF union’s health and safety representatives.

Tom Causebrook, GTR’s infrastructure project manager, said: “Our testing focussed on ensuring that the station’s platforms are safe for passengers and staff. Included in the checklist were making sure trains stopped at the right points, the mechanisms for selective door opening worked correctly, our drivers have good visibility along the platforms, and passenger announcements on the trains’ information screens are at the right times. We’re delighted that the results are really positive.”

“I would like to say a big thank you to all the ASLEF reps who have helped with the testing and also to the train planning team who’ve arranged the test trains for us.

“Now we’re looking forward to further elements of the station being completed so that our staff can move in and do their station-specific training, ready for the autumn opening.”

Barnet Council leader Barry Rawlings said: “Brent Cross West is fundamental to our plans to transform the local area, creating thousands of new jobs and much-needed new housing. It’s great to see the platforms pass GTR’s safety and operational tests – another vital milestone for this ambitious project.”