Elephant & Castle tube station is set to receive a multi-million pound upgrade with work to build a new ticket hall and step free access to the Northern Line.

The works announced by Transport for London (TFL), to be carried out by Dragados UK, will involve a series of major upgrades to improve the station, with new passenger tunnels linking to the new station box.

The work will link the new station box to the existing platforms and overbridge, and will also deliver step-free access to the Northern Line for the first time at the station.

The box will also house the station’s new Northern Line entrance and ticket hall, with the lowest level being completed in March this year.

The first stage of the major upgrade of Elephant & Castle tube station, which includes the tunnelling work and will create 135m of new passenger tunnels, is expected to be finished by 2027.

The new station box will enable step-free access to the Northern Line for the first time at the station, and will be integrated with the Elephant & Castle shopping centre which is currently under redevelopment.

TFL also said that the project and construction of the entrance and ticket hall will offer future-proofing for the Bakerloo Line expansion, and would create 10,000 jobs and inject £1.9 billion into the UK economy.

The works are also hoped to provide “long-term growth” to the Elephant & Castle area, bringing a 25-40 per cent increase in demand for services from the station by 2041.

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: "I'm delighted TfL has now appointed a tunnelling contractor so work can continue on the vital Elephant and Castle Tube station upgrade, which will give the station step free access for the first time and deliver a new Northern line entrance and ticket hall.

“These significant upgrades will not only improve customer journeys through the station but will also support the delivery of thousands of new jobs and new homes in Elephant and Castle, supporting the Mayor's aim for a fairer, greener London for everyone."