Network Rail Property has announced reworked plans to redevelop London Liverpool Street Station, which it hopes will turn it into a world-beating transport hub.
The reworked scheme follows a controversial plan to erect a 21-storeys high skyscraper on top of the station, which thousands had objected to due to its impact on the area and views of St Paul’s Cathedral which is nearby.
The new plans still include a skyscraper however it is smaller than what was previously planned standing at just under 100 metres tall. It will also now not sit on top of the former Great Eastern hotel – a Grade 2 listed building, but rather the proposals show that the skyscraper will be set back behind the hotel.
Network Rail property is keen to enhance the station, which is the busiest in the country since the Elizabeth Line opened to help cope with capacity. It currently serves 80 million passengers per year. In its plans, it is proposing to increase the size of the concourse of the mainline station as well address overcrowding issues with the current Tube hall.
The current departure board will also be removed in the new plans, replaced by a line of smaller boards above each platform entrance. There will also be more ticket barriers as well as step-free access at both the railway and Underground stations.
It will now be consulting on the changes with passengers, local businesses, heritage groups and elected representatives with the intention of submitting a planning application within the next few months.
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.”
Network Rail Property also confirmed it will be leading on the project instead of the previous project lead Sellar.
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