Network Rail complete South Bermondsey station platform works

Image courtesy Network Rail

Work to rebuild platforms at South Bermondsey station is now complete with work undertaken over the New Year period.

Completion was a day late due to cold weather but services resumed from the station yesterday. It was part of a package of work over the Christmas and New Year period by Network Rail’s Kent and Sussex division which also included wooden sleepers being replaced and track re-aligned on bridges and viaducts between London Bridge and Cannon Street.

One reason to cover the story today was the image from Network Rail showing just how close South Bermondsey station is to central London with the City’s tower visible alongside two towers shown rising nearby.

Those are in Bermondsey at the former Peek Freans biscuit factory. A total of 1,600 homes are rising and unlike many large sites this isn’t being staggered out slowly over many years.

The site’s now marketed as Pearl Yard. It’s unlikely many future residents would ever use South Bermondsey station given Bermondsey Jubilee line station is far closer, though this development does show the changing nature of inner London.

That’s something that will impact South Bermondsey station in years to come via other towers proposed nearby.

Like many inner London railway stations when built and in the early 20th century it served a hive of factories and densely built housing in the local area. Post-war then saw a rapid decline in inner London’s population, deindustrialisation and decline with some stations becoming backwaters. The tide is now turning with much new housing planned or rising near stations like this.

At South Bermondsey passenger number grew 18 per cent in the latest annual figures, albeit from a relatively low base.

The sheer number of homes proposed plus journey times of just five minutes to London Bridge ensure growth is likely to keep rising steeply. The development seen above is seconds from the station and approved last year. Another tower to the south was approved on appeal at the end of 2025.

A third tower was approved in summer 2025. Yet another tower on Ilderton Road completed in the recent past.

Other lower rise blocks have welcomed occupants within the past year. It’s a lot of new homes. The Bakerloo line extension was of course supposed to help but this government shows little support ensuring stations like South Bermondsey will grow.

In addition, when Surrey Canal Road station is finally built (and surely it will?) that will capture quite a bit of custom but South Bermondsey should still appeal. London Overground services via Surrey Canal Road won’t head to zone 1 in five minutes for one thing.

Long ignored

We are back to the age-old issue of inner London stations being an afterthought in many cases. Minimal staffing and sometimes poorly looked after stations with unwelcoming entrances.

It’s the type of station TfL tends to invest in and reaps the reward whilst rail companies have fail to capitalise upon to the fullest extent. Whilst passenger numbers are rising quickly at stations like South Bermondsey it remains to be seen whether investment will improve some poor quality entrances and a lack of staffing. Improve that and people may flock to it.

Fail to and potential growth is squandered. An all too common story with National Rail in inner London from railway operators failing to notice the changing environment.

Network Rail revamping the platform is certainly welcome investment though the station then needs to be well staffed and a safe, welcoming environment. Despite thousands of homes there’s little sign of investment in making the everyday passenger experience much better.

Hopefully it happen and a forward thinking network will ensure it does, as the potential rewards in extra custom are vast.