The main concrete station box for Elephant and Castle Tube station has been finished by developers, marking a significant progress milestone. However, interior completion and opening remain stalled pending TfL securing funds for the next phases including tunnelling and fit-out, delaying much-anticipated improved capacity and step-free access.
Construction of the new Elephant and Castle Tube station has reached a major milestone with the completion of the main reinforced concrete station box. This crucial part of the station’s redevelopment, covering over 1,700 square metres of concourse space, has been constructed by property developers Get Living, Delancey, and Multiplex at their own expense as part of a wider regeneration scheme for the area. The station box is poised to be handed over to Transport for London (TfL), which will then begin tunnelling work to connect it to the existing Northern line platforms.
While the station box itself is now finished, its interior fit-out and operational completion remain on hold due to a lack of secured funding. The new entrance will eventually replace the current Northern line ticket hall and will include capacity for three additional escalators, designed with future integration of the Bakerloo line extension in mind. At present, however, the box stands empty until TfL obtains the financial resources required to complete the project and open the station to the public.
TfL has awarded a separate contract to Dragados UK for the design and construction of the connecting passenger tunnels, with excavation work scheduled to start in 2025 and completion targeted for 2027. Dragados UK, known for its work on the Bank station upgrade, has also appointed Aecom as lead designer for this phase. The tunnelling operation is a vital step to enabling the new entrance to provide step-free access, improving accessibility for all passengers.
The new station entrance will increase capacity by over 30%, a significant enhancement aimed at easing congestion and improving the experience for daily commuters and visitors alike. Alex Williams, TfL’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, highlighted that the redevelopment will make the station more welcoming and accessible, benefiting the local community and visitors. He also noted that safeguarding plans for the Bakerloo line extension would help transform south London communities and stimulate economic growth as part of a wider supply chain impact.
This upgrade coincides with a broader transformation of the Elephant and Castle area. The redevelopment includes 485 new homes—172 of which are affordable—alongside shops, restaurants, cultural venues, leisure spaces, workspaces, and a new campus for the University of the Arts London’s London College of Communication. The town centre redevelopment reached another significant milestone with a ‘bottoming out’ ceremony marking the deepest point of the new integrated ticket hall, situated 33 metres below ground, and scheduled for completion and opening in 2026.
The Elephant and Castle station project exemplifies a coordinated approach to urban regeneration, combining transport infrastructure improvements with community development. However, the pace of progress on the station itself remains dependent on future funding decisions by TfL and government bodies. Until funds are secured, the advanced station box awaits its next phase, representing both promise and a current standstill in the long-anticipated enhancement of this key London transport hub.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/elephant-and-castle-tube-stations-new-entrance-box-ready-to-be-handed-over-to-tfl-81874/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/elephant-and-castle-station – Transport for London (TfL) is overseeing the construction of a new entrance and ticket hall at Elephant and Castle Tube station. The initial phase, involving the creation of a reinforced concrete station box, began in January 2022 and is nearing completion. This new structure will house the Northern line entrance and ticket hall, providing over 1,700 square metres of concourse space. The next phase, the fit-out of the station box, is contingent upon securing additional funding and aims to enhance station capacity by over 30%. Future plans include integrating the new entrance with the proposed Bakerloo line extension, subject to funding approval.
- https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2024/september/vital-elephant-and-castle-tube-station-upgrade-as-tfl-appoints-tunnelling-contractor-to-link-new-station-box-with-existing-platfo – TfL has awarded a contract to Dragados UK for the design and construction of new passenger tunnels at Elephant and Castle Tube station. These tunnels will connect the newly constructed station box to the existing Northern line platforms and overbridge. Excavation work is scheduled to commence in 2025 and is expected to be completed by 2027. This development is part of a broader upgrade aimed at providing step-free access to the Northern line and supporting the regeneration of the Elephant and Castle area, which includes the delivery of thousands of new homes and jobs.
- https://elephantandcastletowncentre.co.uk/news/elephant-and-castle-town-centre-celebrates-bottoming-out-ahead-of-launch-in-2026/ – On 7th March 2024, Get Living’s Elephant and Castle Town Centre development marked a significant construction milestone with a ‘bottoming out’ ceremony for the new integrated ticket hall at Elephant and Castle’s Northern line Tube station. The ceremony celebrated reaching the deepest point of the new ticket hall, 33 metres below ground level. The development, set to launch in 2026, will deliver 485 new homes, including 172 affordable homes, along with shops, restaurants, cultural and leisure spaces, and a new campus for UAL’s London College of Communication. The project also includes major infrastructure improvements to public transport, such as the new station entrance providing step-free access.
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/elephant-and-castle-tube-station-step-free-upgrade-tfl-b1185544.html – A multi-million-pound upgrade at Elephant and Castle Tube station will provide step-free access to commuters for the first time. The project includes the construction of new passenger tunnels connecting the new underground station box to the existing Northern line platforms and overbridge. Work on the station box began in January 2022, led by developer Delancey, while Dragados UK will begin work on the new tunnels in 2025, with completion expected by 2027. This upgrade is part of a wider overhaul of the Elephant and Castle area, aiming to accommodate increasing demand and improve accessibility.
- https://elephantandcastletowncentre.co.uk/news/major-milestone-reached-for-elephant-castle-redevelopment-as-construction-starts-on-next-phase-of-new-town-centre/ – On 10th January 2022, construction specialists Multiplex began phase two of the Elephant and Castle Town Centre redevelopment, marking a major milestone for one of Central London’s most significant redevelopment sites. The scheme, designed by Allies and Morrison and operated by Get Living, will deliver 135,000 square feet of shops, restaurants, and leisure space, 55,000 square feet of workspace, 485 homes for rent, and a new campus for UAL’s London College of Communication. The development also includes a new Tube station entrance and ticket hall, with completion expected in early 2026.
- https://www.geplus.co.uk/news/dragados-picks-aecom-as-lead-designer-for-elephant-castle-station-upgrade-08-01-2025/ – Dragados UK has selected Aecom as the lead designer for the upgrade of Elephant and Castle Tube station. The project involves the construction of a new station box, a reinforced concrete structure that will house the new Northern line entrance and ticket hall. The station box, which began construction in January 2022, will also support new developments, including a campus for UAL’s London College of Communication. The fit-out of the station box is expected to provide over 1,700 square metres of new floor space for passengers and increase the station’s capacity by over 30%, while accommodating future access to the Bakerloo line extension.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative was published on 17th June 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 30th September 2024, when TfL appointed Dragados UK for tunnelling works. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The content is not republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. No similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quote from Alex Williams, TfL’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, appears to be original, with no identical matches found online. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from ianVisits, a London-focused news outlet. While it is not as widely recognised as major media organisations, it is a reputable source for local news. The report cites official TfL press releases and other reputable sources, enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about the completion of the station box and the upcoming tunnelling works align with information from TfL’s official website and other reputable sources. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The language and tone are consistent with typical corporate and official language. There is no excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim. The tone is not unusually dramatic or vague.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative provides updated information on the Elephant and Castle Tube station upgrade, with original quotes and consistent language. However, the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the recycling of older material warrant a medium confidence level.
