KUALA LUMPUR: Battersea Power Station Development Company Ltd (BPSDC) has on Monday launched the first major extension to the London underground train network at the iconic Battersea Power Station (BPS) with the opening of the Northern Line Extension (NLE).
Battersea Project Holding Company (BPHC) chairman Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin said the NLE launch was a historic moment in British transport history.
"We are delighted to have been able to support and contribute to this pivotal infrastructure project, which is set to significantly enhance the connectivity of this part of London.
"This is a proud day for Malaysia and all those involved in transforming the historic iconic power station and its surrounding area, being the largest Malaysian investment in the United Kingdom into a new destination where people can live, work and enjoy," Ahmad Pardas said in a statement.
BPHC is owned by a consortium of shareholders namely SP Setia Bhd (40 per cent), Sime Darby Property Bhd (40 per cent) and the Employees Provident Fund (20 per cent).
The BPS project is being developed over eight phases since 2012, and managed by BPSDC on behalf of the shareholders.
BPSDC has contributed over £300 million to the NLE, which runs from Kennington to BPS via Nine Elms, enabling the regeneration of these areas.
The new riverside neighbourhood is expected to draw Londoners, international visitors and workers from across the capital with journey times to the West End and the City taking about 15 minutes, boosting the local economy and creating over 17,000 jobs.
BPSDC said the momentous milestone was one of many this year for the former coal-fired power station, which lay dormant for decades after it was decommissioned in the 1980s.
BPSDC chairman Datuk Wong Tuck Wai said the new mode of transport was a gamechanger for Battersea and Nine Elms and undoubtedly made BPS one of the most well-connected destinations in the capital.
"As a Malaysian tasked to represent the Malaysian conglomerate on this massive project, I am truly proud of the milestone achieved thus far. Well done," he added.
BPSDC chief executive officer Simon Murphy said the NLE was a major milestone in the regeneration of BPS, improving transport links and connectivity to this area of London.
"It has been fundamental to the development from the very beginning, and we are delighted to have played a key role alongside transport for London and others in delivering the first major extension to the London Underground this century.
"Seeing trains coming into the new station this morning was a very proud moment, which wouldn't have been possible without the unwavering commitment of our shareholders.
"As we countdown to the BPS opening its doors to the public next year, we look forward to welcoming more visitors travelling on the new tube line from across the capital and further afield to enjoy the thriving riverside neighbourhood we are creating here at BPS," he added.
State Secretary of Transport Grant Shapps and London mayor Sadiq Khan were among a small group of stakeholders including local councillors and MPs to travel on one of the first passenger trains from Nine Elms to BPS's new Zone One London Underground station on Monday morning.
BPSDC said the whole redevelopment of BPS comprised eight phases with over 4,000 residential units expected to be built, with an overall gross development value of £9 billion.
The rest of the building will be completed in stages throughout the year, with residents moving into the Boiler House and Switch House East in the coming months.