Planning permission has been approved for a large-scale redevelopment of Liverpool Street station, following a decision by the City of London Corporation’s Planning Committee on 10 February.
The scheme, led by Network Rail, will increase capacity and improve accessibility at the station, which is currently used by around 118 million passengers each year across London, East Anglia and the east of England, making it Britain’s busiest station. Passenger numbers are now projected to reach 158 million annually by 2041.
Planning approval secured for Network Rail’s transformation of Britain’s busiest station
© Network Rail
Liverpool Street station was last redeveloped in 1991. According to Network Rail, passenger numbers have risen significantly over the past 35 years, placing pressure on concourse space, entrances and platform access.
The approved plans include a 76% increase in overall concourse capacity, with lower concourse space expanded by 23%. The layout changes are designed to ease crowding and support passenger movement through the station.
Meanwhile, step-free access will be provided from street level to all platforms, including London Underground lines serving the station. The number of lifts will increase from one four-person lift to eight larger lifts, and escalators will rise from four to ten.
New entrances are also planned at Broadgate and Exchange Square, alongside revised routes to buses, cycle storage and taxi areas. Toilets will be provided on all levels, including family and Changing Places facilities.
Network Rail said the redevelopment plans have been designed to retain the Victorian trainshed structure. The project also proposes changes intended to open up views of historic features within the station.
Ellie Burrows, Managing Director for Network Rail’s Eastern region, said:
This decision represents a key step towards the transformation of Britain’s busiest station and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Liverpool Street.
Our plans focus on improving the everyday experience for passengers whilst respecting the station’s unique heritage. With annual passenger numbers forecast to grow to 158 million, this approval ensures the station will be future proofed for decades to come.
The scheme includes the construction of an office building above the concourse, with a publicly accessible roof garden. Project documents state that commercial development will contribute to funding the station works and support economic activity in the City of London. An impact assessment cited by the project team estimates the redevelopment could add up to 4.6 billion GBP per year to the local economy through increased visitor numbers and related activity.
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