Funding of the new-look station, which will provide increased space for buses and taxis when it enters service in May 2012, was a condition of planning permission being granted for the Shard.
Transport for London say preparatory work for the new station will start later which month with work carried out overnight and during the weekends until spring 2011.
Temporary bus shelters will installed during the works and bus routes and taxis will be able use the bus station as normal, though the position of stops within the station will change as work progresses.
Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London’s transport advisor, said: “Hundreds of thousands of people use London Bridge every day and at the moment using the bus station is a fairly grimy experience. However this work will deliver a landmark station next to a landmark building, with a far better design that will improve both its efficiency and the experience for passengers.
“We appreciate people’s patience while work is carried out but can assure them that by 2012 the improvements will be such that the area will be totally unrecognisable when compared to the station we have now.”
Havaiana says
The news on the bus station is a welcome relief for all those, like me, who have to use this dilapidated old station daily. It’s always very dark and uncomfortable so I for one am looking forward to a wider open space vista to let the light and air in. It’s just a shame that the train station referb will have to wait a little longer but at least this is one element that will be greatly welcomed by us commuters.
With the Shard now rising above London Bridge is finally modernising in the right way. I am hoping the 3 spires project also gains approval to further drive this redevelopment forward although I fear local opposition may put a stop to that. Shame as always as it will be one step forward for the area and two steps back if the proposals are blocked. How can London compete on an international scale with such short sighted opposition? Here’s hoping some common sense prevails.