Major Upgrades Announced for London Liverpool Street Station
London Liverpool Street, the busiest station in the UK, is set to undergo significant improvements aimed at enhancing the passenger experience. Network Rail, in collaboration with contractor Spence, has announced a series of upgrades including the installation of additional ticket gates, new retail units, and a relocated Greater Anglia ticket office.
Starting this summer, 21 new automatic ticket gates, including four wide access gates, will be installed to serve Platforms 1-10. This move comes in response to a notable increase in passenger numbers, which have exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 16%. The existing 36 ticket gates have struggled to manage the flow, often causing delays and frustration during peak times.
Lawrence Bowman, route director for Network Rail Anglia, emphasized the importance of these upgrades. “It is so important that our managed station, the busiest in the UK, is able to cope with the increase in passenger numbers we’ve seen over the last few years,” he said. “The current gateline simply does not have the capacity to quickly and efficiently allow passengers to move between platform and concourse easily, especially at busy times.”
The new gates, which will increase the gateline capacity by 58%, are expected to alleviate congestion and reduce wait times, thereby improving overall passenger flow. The installation will be carried out in stages, with all gates expected to be operational by spring 2025.
To accommodate the new gates, five existing retail units on the gateline will be removed by the end of 2024. However, three new retail units will be introduced to ensure passengers continue to have a variety of shopping options. These new units will be located in the area currently occupied by the Greater Anglia ticket office, which will be relocated to Platform 10 and is expected to open later this year.
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, welcomed the improvements. “As the UK’s busiest station, it is great that improvements are being made to the gateline at London Liverpool Street that will positively affect our passengers,” he said. “These enhancements will help reduce crowding during peak times, enable customers to board trains more quickly and help them pass through the station more swiftly on arrival.”
Jonathan Spence, Managing Director for Spence Refit Ltd, expressed excitement about the project. “Working in partnership with Network Rail, Spence Refit Ltd are excited to be awarded the contract to redevelop important passenger facilities at one of London’s most prestigious stations,” he said. “We have developed a construction programme to ensure minimal disruption to passengers and daily operations at the station throughout the extension of the existing west side ticket gates and the construction of the new ticket office and retail premises.”
These upgrades reflect a commitment to enhancing the infrastructure at London Liverpool Street station to meet the growing demands of its passengers. As the station continues to see an increase in footfall, these improvements are set to make a significant difference in the daily commute of thousands of people.
For ongoing updates on the project, passengers are encouraged to follow Network Rail’s official channels and look out for announcements at the station.
