Cricklewood sidings construction work?

[MML]

Does anybody know what building work is taking place at Cricklewood carriage sidings at the moment ?
The vacant site to the west of the MML is due to be used for an infrastructure and aggregates depot I believe.
But there is some preparatory work taking place east of the EMU sidings, on the site of the former DMU depot.
I just hope it is railway related, rather than land sold off for building houses only to find we are lacking suitable sidings in year's to come.

 

[bionic]

As far as I know it's to be additional 700 stabling sidings and staff accomodation.

 

[WymoWanderer]

Is it prep work for the new station?
https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2018/05/19/thameslink-to-get-a-new-station-in-north-london/

Plans to build a new Thameslink station in Brent Cross have taken a step forward after the compulsory purchase order was formally signed.

The new station, Brent Cross West will be just to the south of the North Circular road, and about half way between Hendon and Cricklewood stations, offering improved rail connections in an area that largely lacks them.

The new station is not entirely welcome though, as it also comes with a rail freight depot, which is opposed by the local community....

 

[MML]

Thank you both.

It does appear to be preparatory work for the Thameslink sidings. Will be interesting to see whether any are covered or whether they are open to the elements like the existing sidings.
It would appear existing sidings where they park the EMT HSTs will be lost as part of the station construction.
I think a link using LO to Old Oak Common and perhaps Heathrow would be very useful in the future. Even when Crossrail interchange is available at Farringdon, it would still be beneficial to cut off the corner and consequent reduce journey time from MML to GWML.

 

[DanTrain]

It would appear existing sidings where they park the EMT HSTs will be lost as part of the station construction.

Where will EMT park their HSTs then?

 

[MML]

I suspect the area marked 'Thameslink sidings - Indicative Area' will be used for stabling both 700s and HSTs.
The current sidings are 6 terminal sidings and 1 through road, which typically house 3 x HST and 2 x 700 sets off-peak per day.
The new construction area looks of a comparable size.

Interestingly, the recycling and waste companies that use 66 haulage will lose their sidings to new housing. Presumably relocated to the west side freight and recycling compounds. The new Brent Cross West station located across the MML and the HST sidings. Looks like the former EMU depot shed will also make way for housing.

 

[Supercoss]

Construction work is to install new South Freight siding that will run from already in situ connection near station as far as current GTR compound ~ first train due Jan2019
This will allow daily train to remove spoil by rail
Then once site clear 5 new electrified sidings will be built together with Short on track machine single end siding
Once the new 5 in use (for EMT and GTR)
North end will close to allow main line to be slued over to accommodate rent Cross West station

The current refuse transfer station & GBRf spoil handling siding , headshunt and connection will also close at that time.