North Sheen railway station is in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, in south London, and is in Travelcard Zone 3. The station, on the eastern edge of Richmond, is named after the North Sheen area which, in 1965, was absorbed by Kew. It was opened by the Southern Railway in 1930. The station and all trains serving it are now operated by South West Trains.
Access to the island platforms was originally by a footbridge from both sides of the Manor Road level crossing, but now only that half of the bridge from the north remains. Network Rail finally confirmed funding to build a pedestrian bridge to link both sides of Manor Road. This was not, as expected, to re-instate the original bridge allowing access to the station from both sides, but for the building of a new bridge on the opposite side of the level crossing to the station. Passengers wishing to gain access to the platforms from the south side of Manor Road will need to use both the new bridge and the existing one. After withdrawal of the original plan, a second broadly similar application was resubmitted in November 2010. This was approved in January 2011 against the planning officers' recommendation of refusal. However, in the face of opposition to the design, Network Rail, the Council and MP jointly launched a competition for the public to submit new designs and the shortlisted plans were subjected to a public vote on 19 May 2011. Although several professional designs were shortlisted it was local resident, Stephen Speak, who won this competition with a design inspired by the Tree Top Walkway in nearby Kew Gardens . With a construction budget of £1 million the bridge is expected to be built towards the end of 2012 subject to planning consents.
North Sheen station is a key transport hub, serving the area between Mortlake and Richmond stations on the South West Trains main line rail service, and is the main stopping-off point for commuters to the newly refurbished Richmond International Business Centre at Argyle House. It is also convenient for the nearby Sainsburys, Currys and Homebase shops. The station is regularly used by residents from the Courtlands and Sheen Court estates at the top of Manor Road and a boost in passenger numbers is to be expected with about 300 flats to be built in the neighbourhood.
Read more about North Sheen Railway Station: Services
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