Network Rail slims down Liverpool Street Station plans

Network Rail Property has announced it is to bring forward new plans to redevelop London Liverpool Street, to improve the customer experience.

The station is a major transport hub for more than 100 million people a year within London and the southeast, with passengers forecast to grow to more than 140 million a year by 2050.

The scheme will focus on providing improvements to the everyday experience for passengers, including:

• Increasing the size of the concourse to ease congestion  
• Step-free access across the station and London Underground
• 7 new lifts to make Network Rail platforms and the London Underground
• Escalators increased from 4 to 8
• More ticket barriers
• New toilets, including family facilities on all levels of the station.
• New landmark entrances on Liverpool Street, Bishopsgate and Exchange Square.
• Additional waiting lounges 
• Better signage throughout
• More cycle storage with direct access to platforms 
• More space for passengers inside the station
• More cafes, restaurants and shops 

Previous £1.5 billion plans, submitted in 2023, were lodged by Shard developer Sellar, transport operator MTR, and Network Rail.

The previous plans included a public rooftop garden with four-lane, 25m open air lido, heated by energy produced from the offices.

However, the scheme generated significant objection from heritage organisations.

Architecture practice, ACME, is now working with Network Rail Property to bring forward new proposals for Liverpool Street Station. 

The new scheme is based on a thorough understanding of the operational needs of the station and its historic significance. 

The original 1864 station and its 1991 reconfiguration is known for its cathedral-like concourse and train shed.

Robin Dobson, group property director at Network Rail Property, said: “Investing in transport infrastructure is key to unlocking future economic growth.

“We’ve spent time talking and listening: our latest plans celebrate Victorian features including the original train shed and the Great Eastern Hotel.

“We are delighted to be part of this monumental design challenge to create a world-class transport gateway in the City of London.

” Network Rail Property is leading a new team with a new approach which will respect the station’s unique heritage – simple in design, embracing London’s mix of the old with the new.

“A new office building on top of the station concourse will generate the money to pay for these improvements.”

Friedrich Ludewig, Founding Director, ACME, said: “Working with Network Rail Property, we are creating a transport hub that will work for the city and all Londoners. 

“At Liverpool Street, we will retain the sense of a tall and airy concourse, with a flexible workplace building above to fund the development of the station at street level.”

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