On the eve of its two-year anniversary tomorrow (10 December), passenger demand at Thameslink’s newest station, Brent Cross West, has been shown to have exceeded all expectations, soaring 41% and firmly validating the decision by Barnet Council to accelerate the delivery of this new transport link with Government backing.

Figures released by Thameslink show that in the first year of its operation, some 533,000 passenger journeys were made through Brent Cross West Station.

This year, passenger journeys increased 41% to 754,000 giving a total of 1.287m across the two years.

Furthermore, this passenger growth rate is forecast to continue.

Thameslink Infrastructure Director Pete Carbery said:

“We worked in close collaboration with Barnet Council and Network Rail on the construction of this, our newest, station on the Thameslink route, and we’re delighted it’s proving so popular.

“The continued rise in passenger numbers shows just how valuable this station is to the community, helping to boost local businesses, support new jobs, and contribute to wider economic growth in the area.

“It’s a clear example of how sustained investment in the railway can deliver significant benefits to both the local and wider economy, and we’re sure its excellent design and the fast connections our service provides to the capital and beyond have played a major part in its success.”

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change for Barnet Council said:

“The opening of Brent Cross West has not only transformed the way residents get around the area, and improved connections in and out of central London, but it has also played a key role in unlocking further investment for local development. It’s great to see Brent Cross West becoming the well-loved, well-used new station the council intended it to be.”

As well as connecting central London to Brent Cross in as little as 15 minutes, a key feature of the station includes a new, public overbridge, which provides the first pedestrian access across this stretch of the Midland Main Line since it was first built in the 19th century.

To mark the second anniversary, Thameslink has partnered with walking and wellness app Go Jauntly to develop a new walking trail which starts at the station as part of its 'Thameslink Trails' series.

Promoting leisure and sustainable travel to the station, the interactive walk guides users through the new station and town, past the visitor pavilion, through to Golders Green and Hampstead Heath along a predominantly off-street route. It is available to explore free on the Go Jauntly app, and Thameslink’s Instagram and TikTok accounts @tlrailuk.

Time capsule

Thameslink’s newest station is celebrating its second anniversary just as the modern railway marks its second centenary of operation through a series of nationwide events badged Railway 200. To celebrate railway history and also the regeneration taking place in the Brent Cross West area, a time capsule was recently buried in Claremont Park close by Brent Cross West.

Burying the time capsule: Thameslink's Railway 200 lead Patrick Ladbury (far right) joins Cllrs Alan Schneiderman (wearing scarf) and Cllr Anne Clarke (red scarf), station staff and pupils of Mapledown School and Claremont Primary (photo by John Sturrock)

Thameslink’s Railway 200 Programme Lead, Patrick Ladbury, said:

“Being at Brent Cross West, it was clear to see that the spirit of the railway is very much alive with continuing growth, innovation and connection.

“Burying this time capsule is our way of sharing that story with the future and celebrating the people and communities who make our railway what it is today.”

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Barnet Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change and Cricklewood Ward Member, said:

“We’re delighted to have been chosen to host the Railway 200 time capsule at Brent Cross Town, home to London’s newest railway station Brent Cross West. As the area continues to develop it is a great opportunity to work alongside our local community to capture the past, present and future to be uncovered by generations to come.”