On entering the Shard from London Bridge station, visitors are immediately treated to a glimpse of British humour.

BBC: Sky high at London��s Shard

Four people had to be treated at London Bridge Station after being taken ill in what was initially feared to be a chemical incident.

BBC: London Bridge station chemical fear after four fall ill

So a few years and a billion pounds or so later, the great architect delivers his monumental vision - a cloud-tickling skyscraper, a giant gleaming obelisk that emerges from London Bridge train station like a rocket about to take off.

BBC: Imagine the meeting that led to The Shard

Hyder Consulting, which has worked on Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tower Bridge in London, will design the station.

BBC: Designs for Northampton railway station

The company said a reduced service was operating from Victoria station, and advised passengers to use Charing Cross, Cannon St, London Bridge and St Pancras stations as alternatives.

BBC: Kent snowfall disruption rail and road travel

Southeastern trains to Charing Cross will not call at London Bridge for a year from 2015 while services to Canon Street will also cease to use the station between 2016 until late 2017.

BBC: London