Valuable infrastructure to support a cycle-friendly vision

Go Cycle: Kingston Station

Kingston, UK

As an effect of urbanisation the population of Kingston is set to grow 30% by 2050, meaning that more and more people will need to move in and around the borough. Kingston Station, to prepare for this growth, wanted to implement a new sustainable transport solution that integrated modern transport infrastructure.

Challenge

Buro Happold was commissioned to upgrade Kingston Station’s forecourt facilities to ensure smoother transitions between different modes of transport. Our engineers needed to change the current vehicle dominated environment, to one that was inviting to slower and more sustainable, healthier modes of travel (pedestrians and cyclists).

In addition to this, our specialists were tasked with creating up to 700 new cycle spaces within a constrained space. These were to be positioned as close as possible to the station to encourage usage.

Solution

Our team developed a vision defining how the station area could be transformed into a gateway for multiple user groups to different areas of the town and beyond. We identified underutilised routes from the station and combined them into a coherent wayfinding strategy. We aimed to prioritise ground-based, self-propelled transport for people of all ages and mobility.

The resulting design includes a new cycle hub and bridge. With a new facility of up to 700 cycle capacity and a bicycle and pedestrian foot bridge, connections to the River Thames and wayfinding into town are greatly improved. By encouraging cycling the initiative is reducing vehicle congestion and pollution – while complementing the council’s wider vision for more active and enjoyable movement throughout Kingston.

To make sure that the site was well-balanced for all transport users we carried out extensive public consultation, coupled with working alongside local train operators. This ensured that the improvements, in close proximity to the operational station, were both feasible and beneficial.

Buro Happold brought other expertise into a collaborative consortium to ensure the best quality in design and delivery for RBK, and this is commendable. RBK benefited from a wide range of professional services, expertise and international experience for projects of outstanding quality that also requires ingenious technical solutions.

Jean-Christophe Chassard, Project Manager, Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames

Value

With a strong collaborative team, we were able to devise a popular solution that has improved the overall cyclist and pedestrian experience throughout Kingston, as well as reducing demand on the existing highway and its users. The project won the Wellbeing category in the prestigious 2017 New London Awards.

I am absolutely delighted that our Kingston Station Go Cycle team won the NLA Wellbeing Award. We have worked hard to design a piece of city space, which combines inclusive movement infrastructure, high quality public realm and a few building gems in a seamlessly integrated manner for the people of Kingston.

Andy Murdoch, Director – Cities, Buro Happold