Stannah Major Projects has installed 11 lifts as part of the Access for All requirement in the £1 billion rebuild of London Bridge Station, a central London rail terminus and connected London Underground station, transformed into a multi-award-winning, 21st-century rail hub.

The design, installation and commissioning of 11 Stannah lift products has maximised the safe, efficient movement of people and goods within the largest street-level station concourse in the UK. The rebuild is part of the £7bn Government-sponsored Thameslink Programme.

Installed in various stages throughout the project’s timeline, the Stannah lift package comprises:
• Eight passenger lifts: 6 x 33 person/2500kg; 1 x 1200kg/16 person; one 33 person/2500kg staff lift
• Two x 66-person/500kg goods lifts
• A Lowriser platform lift

Phase I—two goods lifts
Installed back of house, these hydraulic lifts are responsible for processing all goods throughout the station from their arrival via St Thomas Street. Functioning independently, they share a common motor room and can shift big loads of up to 5000kg per lift. Loading and weight testing were also managed by Stannah.

Phase 2—five passenger lifts
Four public passenger lifts and one staff lift support access in key station areas, including the main concourse. Unique in design, the lifts feature bespoke doors and semi-glazed lift cars to complement the feature freestanding glass shafts.

The lifts are hydraulically driven using accumulator technology, a type of energy storage device which enables the system to cope with extremes of demand using a less powerful pump, to respond more quickly to a temporary demand, and to smooth out pulsations.

The distance from the machine room to the shafts was a challenge as all services had to be routed under the station concourse, which was achieved via a network of established tunnels.

Phase 3—three passenger lifts and a Lowriser platform passenger lift
Fitted under the newly updated lift directive EN81-20, these lifts feature up-to-date Ethos TWO lift control panels with large, full-colour touch-screens that deliver simple, intuitive diagnostics, commissioning and configuration for fast, easy control.

“The architraves and overall finish of the lifts on the main concourse are of very high quality to complement the high-profile site. This was a challenge as many of the structural elements that are normally hidden had to be made aesthetically pleasing,” comments Craig Hazelden, Stannah Major Projects, Project Manager.

Also known as a step lift, the Lowriser platform passenger lift is back of house and provides movement for people with impaired mobility over a small difference in floor levels of up to two metres.

The station remained fully operational for the project duration, presenting challenging constraints that Stannah were able to overcome.

A working partnership
Stannah Major Projects worked as part of a team alongside main contractors, Costain, Balfour Beatty and Siemens; architects and designers, Grimshaw, and the structural and acoustic engineers and landscape architects, WSP, and design and consultancy company, Arcadis.

The lifts have contributed to the station’s policy of inclusivity and accessibility for people of all mobilities, ranging from visual, cognitive and hearing needs to wheelchair-users and bag-laden buggy pushers.

Ken Price, Stannah Major Projects Department Manager comments:
“This project to date has been extremely demanding. The station has been operational so many unsociable hours of working in difficult conditions have got us to this significant point. We are very pleased with the result so far and grateful to our client for the recognition received. The new part of this unique station is very impressive and will certainly make a huge difference to travellers through this constantly busy hub. After a celebration of our progress to date, the team are ready for the challenge of the next phase.”