Plans to demolish the London Overground station in West Hampstead and replace it with a building five times its size have been submitted to Camden Council in a bid to cope with rising demand.

The station has been deemed unfit for purpose as commuters are said to be experiencing significant overcrowding during peak times.

Some 5.6million passenger journeys are estimated to have been made through the station in 2012, according to Transport for London (TfL), and this number is expected to “increase dramatically” in the coming years.

The new proposals would see the existing single-storey building in West End Lane knocked down.

In its place would be a development providing longer and wider platforms, more ticket gates, a larger open space at the front of the building, and space for a retail unit.

Lifts for disabled users and a new walkway over the railway line will also be built.

With West Hampstead home to a London Overground, Tube and Thameslink station, the proposed improvements further cement rail chiefs’ vision of the area as a “significant inner London transport interchange”.

Virginia Berridge, chairwoman of the West Hampstead Amenity and Transport Group (WHAT), met with designers to give views on the plans.

She said: “We really welcome the introduction of disabled access and lifts, as well as the integration with the neighbouring Ballymore development [a housing development in West End Lane].

“We did think, however, that it was worth considering a second entrance and exit, as exists at the Thameslink station. This could help accommodate the extra people properly.

“We would certainly at least like to see evidence it is not needed and the group will be submitting comments to the council.”

Residents have until January 14 to submit their own comments on the plans to the council.