Rail Past Project

London Bridge

Station Redevelopment

0 Project Value

0 Year Programme

0 Peak Workforce

Project Overview

The project at London Bridge Station involved the provision of a new concourse at street level, with enterances on Tooley Street and St Thomas Street. This increased passenger capacity through the station from c. 50m to c. 75m.

BCL provided all trades and supervision on site from commencement in 2012 until completion in 2019.

During this period, the safety and performance record of the BCL team was exceptional.

Innovation was a key element to our sucess on the project. We developed and applied unique tablet technology for all our Supervisors, to assit the client with site allocations and specific costing requirements. Further developements were later introduced to assit with Health and Safety and numerous other applications to eliminate the requirement for paper documentation.

Project Details

Client Network Rail

Principal Contractor Costain

Project Value £1 Billion

Sector Rail

Location London, United Kingdom

Duration 2011 – 2019

£1Billion Total Project Value

250+ Peak Operatives On Site

8 Year Programme Duration

Our

Scope of Works

BCL delivered a comprehensive package of labour and supervision services across all major construction phases of the project.

Project Overview

Bowercross Construction Labour (BCL) provided all construction trades and site supervision for the redevelopment of London Bridge railway station from 2012 to 2019. The project delivered a new street-level concourse with entrances on Tooley Street and St Thomas Street, significantly improving station accessibility and increasing passenger capacity from approximately 50 million to 75 million passengers per year. Works were carried out in a complex live railway environment requiring careful coordination with ongoing train operations and high passenger volumes.

Structural and Civil Construction Works

BCL delivered a wide range of structural and civil construction activities to support the station redevelopment. Key activities included: Reinforced concrete works for new concourse structures Structural support elements for the expanded station layout Installation and coordination of structural components interfacing with rail infrastructure Integration of construction works with existing station structures These works were essential in delivering the expanded concourse and improved passenger circulation areas.

Concourse Construction and Station Infrastructure

The project involved the construction of a large street-level concourse to improve passenger flow and station capacity. Scope included: Construction of the main concourse structure Development of new entrances on Tooley Street and St Thomas Street Structural preparation for escalators, lifts, and passenger access routes Integration with station services and passenger circulation areas This infrastructure significantly enhanced the operational capacity and passenger experience at the station

Technology and Innovation in Site Management

Innovation played a major role in improving project efficiency and performance. Key initiatives included: Development of tablet-based technology for site supervisors Digital systems used for site allocation, workforce management, and project costing Introduction of digital applications to support health and safety reporting and compliance Elimination of paper documentation through digital reporting systems These innovations improved real-time communication, productivity, and project management across the site.

Health and Safety Management

Maintaining high safety standards was essential due to the live railway environment and high passenger numbers. Safety measures included: Implementation of site-specific Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) Daily toolbox talks and safety briefings for all operatives Continuous supervision of works near operational railway infrastructure Digital safety reporting through the tablet-based system Throughout the project, the BCL team maintained an exceptional safety and performance record.

Labour Supply and Workforce Management

BCL supplied a full workforce and supervision team throughout the project duration. Responsibilities included: Provision of all construction trades including carpenters, steel fixers, concrete operatives, and supervisors Workforce planning aligned with construction phases and rail possession schedules Coordination with the principal contractor and rail authorities Continuous monitoring of productivity, safety, and quality standards This structured labour delivery ensured the project progressed efficiently from commencement in 2012 through to completion in 2019.

Project Gallery

Key stages and completed elements of this major infrastructure programme.

Foundation works in progress

Key Challenges & Solutions

Delivering major works within a complex infrastructure environment presented significant engineering and logistical challenges requiring innovative solutions from our teams.

Construction Within a Live, High-Traffic Station

Challenge: The redevelopment of London Bridge railway station took place while the station remained fully operational, serving tens of millions of passengers each year. Managing construction works without disrupting train services or passenger movement presented significant logistical and safety challenges. Solution: BCL implemented carefully phased construction scheduling, coordinating closely with the client and rail operators to align works with planned access windows and quieter operational periods. Clear segregation between construction zones and passenger areas was maintained, allowing the station to operate safely while construction progressed.

Managing a Long-Term, Programme-Sensitive Project

Challenge: The project spanned seven years (2012–2019) and formed part of a major station redevelopment programme. Maintaining productivity, coordination between multiple trades, and adherence to programme milestones over such a long period required consistent planning and workforce management. Solution: BCL provided continuous supervision and a stable workforce, ensuring consistency across the project lifecycle. Regular coordination meetings, progress tracking, and structured labour allocation enabled the team to maintain performance levels and support the delivery of the new concourse within the project programme.

Improving Efficiency and Safety Through Innovation

Challenge: Managing workforce allocation, site reporting, and safety documentation across a large construction site traditionally required extensive paperwork and manual processes, which could slow communication and create inefficiencies. Solution: BCL developed and introduced tablet-based technology for site supervisors, allowing digital management of site allocations, workforce tracking, and project costing. The system was later expanded to include health and safety reporting and other operational tools, significantly reducing paperwork while improving communication, efficiency, and compliance across the project.

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