MARYLEBONE Lane will become home to a brand new entrance to Bond Street station as part of a �300million overhaul. The building that currently stands at 354-358 Oxford Street will be knocked down and re-developed into a new entrance to the

Georgia Graham

MARYLEBONE Lane will become home to a brand new entrance to Bond Street station as part of a �300million overhaul.

The building that currently stands at 354-358 Oxford Street will be knocked down and re-developed into a new entrance to the station with access from Marylebone lane.

The work is planned for Summer 2010 and will provide step-free access from street to platform as well as direct access to the new Crossrail services, which open in 2017.

More than 155,000 passengers use the station every day and with the arrival of Crossrail in 2017, that number is expected to increase to 225,000.

The move has been welcomed by traders who are expected to benefit from the move.

Martyn Frith, from The Button Queen on Marylebone Lane, said: "I really look forward to it, It will be wonderful if and when it happens but knowing how protracted these things always get I'm not going to be holding my breath."

Another trader at Christopher Lane hairdressers on the road added: "It's fantastic, it means I won't have to walk so far in the rain and I should think it will be good for business as people won't have to walk so far.

"People are pretty lazy you know."

The improvements will include additional escalators and a brand new ticket hall to cope with the increased passenger numbers.

Miles Ashley, head of London Underground Station Capacity Programme said: "The �300million re-development of Bond Street Tube station, coupled with the new Crossrail station, will transform the Bond Street area and act as a catalyst for further investment securing the West End's position as a premier shopping and entertainment destination and major employment centre."

Clare Murray, 24, who uses Bond Street station for her morning commute every day, said the upgrade was well overdue.

She said: "I work close to here and I live on the Jubilee Line too so I'm always in and out of this station, but it's always so busy and crowded.

"There always seems to be a queue for the ticket machines and people are always pushing past you on the stairs.

"I'm quite looking forward to a brand new entrance as long as they actually sort it out on time."

Some sadness was, however, felt over the scheme as a Crest of London gift shop is due to be lost from the road.

"It will be sad to loose Crest of London, they were good customers of ours and a nice little tourist spot on the lane," said Stephen Rothe of Paul Rothe & Son.

"But a little help for a small place like Marylebone can only be a good thing. It needs all the help it can get with rising rents and rates.

"While construction is going on it might alienate a few people but I think it will be worth it in the end.