The UK’s busiest train station is about to get even busier, with a multi-million pound makeover.
London‘s Liverpool Street currently welcomes more than 118 million people a year, and new pictures have shown Network Rail‘s plans to increase the size to allow for more than 200 million train passengers annually.
As part of the makeover, the station’s entrances will be redesigned, and landscaping and benches will be added around the famous Kindertransport statue, which sits in the main concourse.
The concourse will also be increased in size, with more routes added throughout the station, plus family rooms and quiet areas added.
The size of the office block above the station will also be reduced, and the main station building will be realigned to avoid having to extend into the neighbouring Andaz London Liverpool Street hotel, formerly the Great Eastern Hotel.
The unveiled plans come almost two years after Network Rail and Shard developers Sellar filed a planning application to partially demolish the station and build a new multi-storey tower above the former Great Eastern Hotel next door.
Filed in May 2023, the plans received more than 2,000 objections from the public, Westminster Council and Historic England.
For the new plans, Network Rail has replaced lead architect Herzog & de Meuron with ACME and dropped Sellar as a partner.
London’s Liverpool Street currently welcomes more than 118 million people a year, and new pictures have shown Network Rail’s plans to increase the size to allow for more than 200 million train passengers annually. LEFT: The station now. RIGHT: After the makeover
As part of the makeover, the station entrances will be redesigned, and landscaping and benches will be added around the famous Kindertransport statue, which sits in the main concourse
The size of the office block above the station will also be reduced, and the main station building will be realigned to avoid having to extend into the neighbouring Andaz London Liverpool Street hotel, formerly the Great Eastern Hotel (pictured)
Network Rail had a public consultation for the new plans, and said three-quarters supported it with the top three priorities cited as step-free access to the station, new lifts and escalators, and new toilets.
Robin Dobson, group property director for Network Rail Property, said: ‘We’re proud to be leading the submission of a transformative scheme for the redevelopment of London Liverpool Street station — one that is a truly accessible and inclusive space, can support the forecasted annual passenger rise to over 200 million and deliver vital improvements to the everyday experience of passengers while respecting and celebrating the station’s historic character.
‘Investing in transport infrastructure is essential to unlocking future economic growth for London and beyond. This investment will ensure Liverpool Street remains a landmark gateway to the City of London for generations to come.
‘Following extensive consultation and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, our plans put passengers first whilst respecting and retaining the station’s Victorian features, including the iconic trainshed and the Great Eastern Hotel.’
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