The first works on the long-awaited new entrance hall were completed at the end of October, reports Marco Marcelline
The very first phase of works for the new entrance at Walthamstow Central was completed at the end of October, Waltham Forest Council has said.
The works include the construction of a portion of the “station box”, which is an underground concrete box-like structure which the lower part of the station entrance will be encased in.
Effectively a slab of concrete, this first portion of the station box is supported by a series of “temporary piles” that will act as plunge columns.
Council deputy leader and cabinet member for housing and regeneration Ahsan Khan told the Echo: “The initial phase of station works has been progressing well over the summer and autumn. Utility diversions, pilings, and surfacing works have been completed.
He added: “The council, TfL, and New River, who is the long leaseholder of 17&Central, are working collaboratively to ensure the [redevelopment] programmes are aligned.”
Transport for London (TfL) is said to currently be working on the business plan for the next phase of station box works, which the council says will be co-ordinated with “phase two of the wider regeneration plans” that include an extension of 17&Central shopping centre and a new town square.
The Walthamstow Central upgrade project has faced significant funding troubles since it was first announced as part of the redevelopment of The Mall.
In 2018, TfL said funding it had committed towards the new entrance was no longer available “due to budget constraints and other factors”.
The council has estimated the full cost of constructing a new station entrance would come to £41.5m. For its part, the council has raised £5.3m towards the ticket hall and committed a further £3.9m “backstop” if alternative funding cannot be found.
Capital and Regional (C&R), which won planning permission for the The Mall redevelopment before it was bought by Long Harbour in 2021, has put £1.5m towards the station entrance.
A planning condition attached to the redevelopment states that construction of the new entrance must begin before work on redeveloping the town square and adding new retail space to the shopping centre, is completed.
A TfL spokesperson said: “We’re continuing our work to secure funding from partners to enable the additional station entrance at Walthamstow Central station to be delivered.
“Work on the station box, which is the underground concrete box-like structure that houses the lower part of the station, needs to be followed by a further stage of works to complete the additional entrance.
“We have been working closely with both the developer, and Waltham Forest to enable these station improvements to be delivered alongside the wider development in the most efficient and cost-effective way.”
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