CROSSRAIL has submitted plans for a new station building at Hayes & Harlington to Hillingdon Council for approval.

The distinctive glass and steel structure is intended to create a landmark far more visible and prominent than the existing station.

A bright, spacious ticket hall will provide a more welcoming environment and a range of other improvements will be made to the station, including:

A new footbridge with four new lifts to provide step- free access to every platform

A new waiting room on platform 4/5

Platform extensions plus new and replacement canopies

New lighting, customer information screens, station signage, help points and CCTV.

The new building, designed by Bennetts Associates, will be situated immediately to the north of the existing station and will replace a commercial property currently on the site.

From the end of 2017, it will be run by Transport for London as part of London’s integrated transport network.

Matthew White, Crossrail Surface Director, said: “A bright, spacious ticket hall and other major upgrades will make using the station a much better experience for the thousands who pass through every day.”

When Crossrail fully opens in 2019, up to 10 services an hour in each direction will serve Hayes & Harlington, allowing passengers to travel right through central London without having to change.

The journey to Bond Street will take 20 minutes and passengers will be able to reach Canary Wharf in 34 minutes.

Crossrail has also been working with Hillingdon Council on planned improvements to the area around the station.

A new public space in Station Approach would be created, with better pedestrian crossings, continuous cycle lanes, tree planting and safer junctions.