Transport for London (TfL) has awarded Dragados UK a contract to design and construct new passenger tunnels at Elephant & Castle Tube station.

The tunnels will connect the newly built station box to existing platforms and the overbridge.

The initial phase of the Elephant & Castle Tube station upgrade, which includes the tunnelling work, is being funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA), the London Borough of Southwark (LBS), and contributions from local developers. Excavation of approximately 135 meters of new tunnels will begin next year, with completion expected by 2027.

The ongoing work to build the expanded Elephant & Castle Tube station, which is essential for the regeneration of the area, includes:

• The construction of a new station box and passenger tunnels which will link the box to the existing platforms and overbridge (Stage 1). In January 2022 construction started on the station box, a reinforced concrete structure that will house the new Northern line entrance and ticket hall. The team celebrated excavating to the lowest level - 33m below ground - in March this year. The station box will also support a new oversite development, including the new campus for UAL's London College of Communication.

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• The fit-out of the new station box, enabling a new, larger Northern line entrance and ticket hall, with step-free access, to be brought into use (Stage 2). It will be integrated with the Elephant & Castle shopping centre redevelopment currently under construction and replace the existing Northern line entrance and ticket hall which will be decommissioned, ready for further redevelopment. Stage 2 is subject to funding approval.

• Future proofing for the Bakerloo Line Extension. The new Northern line entrance and ticket hall will represent the first piece of substantial infrastructure to support the proposed Bakerloo Line Extension, which is currently unfunded. If funding is secured, the extension would connect Elephant & Castle to Lewisham via Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate, unlocking 20,000 homes, creating 10,000 jobs and delivering a £1.5bn boost to the UK economy. The new entrance and ticket hall would initially improve capacity for Northern line customers but is being constructed in such a way that it could serve both Northern and Bakerloo line customers in future.

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: "I'm delighted TfL has now appointed a tunnelling contractor so work can continue on the vital Elephant and Castle Tube station upgrade, which will give the station step free access for the first time and deliver a new Northern line entrance and ticket hall. These significant upgrades will not only improve customer journeys through the station but will also support the delivery of thousands of new jobs and new homes in Elephant and Castle, supporting the Mayor's aim for a fairer, greener London for everyone."