Fresh plans for Liverpool Street Station submitted

Revised plans to redevelop Liverpool Street Station have been submitted to the City of London Corporation, Network Rail has said.

Network Rail previously worked with Shard developers Sellar on a £1.5bn scheme that proposed to partially demolish the Victorian station and build a new multi-storey tower cantilevered above a neighbouring Grade II* listed former hotel.

An original planning application was filed in May 2023, but fresh plans were unveiled last November after it received more than 2,000 objections from the public, Westminster Council and Historic England.

Network Rail said the project aimed to future-proof the station for the more than 200 million passengers using it each year.

The revised scheme features amendments including reducing the size of the office block above the station, realigning the building to avoid interfering with the site of the Great Eastern Hotel, redesigning station entrances, and landscaping and benches around the Kindertransport statue.

Network Rail has replaced lead architect Herzog & de Meuron with ACME and dropped its development partner Sellar, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A range of other works have also been proposed, from increasing the size of the concourse, improving routes through the building and providing family rooms and quiet areas.

Network Rail said out of almost 2,000 comments received in a public consultation, three-quarters supported the proposal.

The top three priorities for the public were step-free access to the station, new lifts and escalators, and new toilet facilities, it added.

Heritage groups including The Victorian Society have, however, retained their opposition to the updated plans.

Of particular concern for the charity is the proposed demolition of the existing station concourse, with its president, comedian Griff Rhys Jones, previously saying they "cannot accept that this is the best way forward".

Robin Dobson, group property director for Network Rail Property, said the scheme "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," he continued.

"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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