Waterloo, London’s and indeed Britain’s busiest railway station, is set to undergo its biggest changes in decades. Here is a rundown of what’s being planned.
What’s happening?
Network Rail and South West Trains are working on a multi-million pound improvement and expansion programme.
The plan involves bringing five platforms in the old Waterloo International terminal back into use for commuter services.
In what Network Rail says are the first major changes to Waterloo since the 1930s, there will need to be a complete redesign of the concourse and platforms to make everything suitable.
Three bridges on the approach to platforms 20-24 will need to be strengthened and the track layout changed.
Plans are also being developed to extend platforms 1-4 to allow 10-carriage trains to run on the suburban network for the first time.
Why is it all happening?
The simple answer is because our railways are getting ever busier.
Almost 100 million passengers a year already use Waterloo, with trains arriving and departing every minute at the busiest times of day. Numbers are forecast to grow by 40 per cent over the next 30 years.
The proposed works are seen as vital to increasing capacity and ensuring Waterloo can cope with the growing number of passengers.
When will it happen?
A planning application for the works has been submitted to Lambeth Council.
This is a timetable of how the various stages are unexpected to unfold:
August 2015: Formal consultation undertaken by Lambeth Council on the proposals.
September 2015: Anticipated planning decision made by Lambeth Council.
October 2015: Start site preparation works.
November 2015: Start construction works.
End of 2016: Scheduled completion of construction works on the bridges.
Mid-2017: Completion of associated track and signalling works.
Will there be disruption if I live nearby?
Network Rail states it is “committed to being a good neighbour and will make every effort to minimise disruption”.
It says work will be carried out during normal weekday working hours where possible, but some will need to take place on Saturday mornings and overnight.
A number of temporary road and footpath closures are likely to be required.
No mention is made of any disruption to existing train services while work is carried out.
Can I have my say about the changes?
Letters and leaflets are being sent to local homes and businesses to explain the proposals.
Further information is available at www.networkrail.co.uk/wcip as well as contact information for getting in touch and asking questions.
Here’s a map showing the proposed work on the station approaches (click on it to view a bigger version):
What do they say about it?
John Halsall, route infrastructure director for Network Rail, says: “The project to improve the railway and strengthen the bridges on the approach to Waterloo is an absolutely vital part of our plans to improve capacity at Britain’s busiest station.
“The submission of the planning application to carry out this work is an important step forward and, if approved, we expect to start work before the end of the year.”
Tim Shoveller, managing director of South West Trains, added: “We operate one of the busiest railways in Europe, with over half a million passenger journeys every day.
“The biggest investment for decades on our network is well under way but the work to expand London Waterloo is absolutely vital to make sure we can provide much needed extra space, both for our customers now and in the future."
So everyone’s in agreement then, it’s vital work.
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