Photos have shown a completed upgrade to the UK's busiest railway station. Liverpool Street Station in London, which provides National Rail, Elizabeth line and London Underground services, is now brighter following the installation of new roof panels.
The £22million contract for the project was awarded to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure in 2024. Now, bosses say commuters can experience lighter journeys after "old, discoloured and lichen-covered" glazing panels on the Victorian trainshed over platforms 1-10 — spanning an area of 11,000m², the equivalent of 8.8 Olympic-sized swimming pools — were removed.
Light levels and drainage improvements
"In meter readings taken by the project team, average light levels on platforms 1-10 were between 11 and 56 times higher than before work started, improving passenger experience and bringing the heritage architecture to life for a new generation of commuters," Network Rail said.
"The project also involved targeted replacement of 770 glass panels over the concourse, alongside major drainage improvements across the roof, including new guttering and significantly increased capacity to carry away rainwater. This work will minimise leaks onto the station below, keeping everyone moving safely and reliably, while also strengthening resilience to the challenges of a changing climate."
Restoration of the timber valance
Engineers also restored the decorative timber valance at the end of the trainshed, to the same design as was installed when the station was first constructed in 1874. More than 800 timber slats were restored or newly crafted at a workshop in Bristol before being put back.
"The valance had been deteriorating before the project began, but is now back to its former glory, helping to improve the station’s appearance amongst the other buildings in the City of London," officials added.
Martin Beable, Chief Operating Officer for GBR Anglia, said: “This project has lit up our previously dingy trainshed, delivering a major improvement for passengers while keeping disruption to a minimum. Liverpool Street is Britain’s busiest station and one of the rail network’s most historic and iconic landmarks. It now has a roof to do it justice.”
Disruption and future plans
Bosses say that although the work involved "some limited station closures", disruption was "kept to a minimum through the use of innovative sliding scaffolding decks high above the ground, which allowed the majority of work to take place during normal operating hours". "The suspended decks also eliminated the need for scaffolding on the concourse and platforms, meaning that the project didn’t get in the way of passengers," Network Rail said.
Annual passenger numbers are forecast to grow at Liverpool Street to 158million by 2041. It recorded 98,015,658 passenger entries and exits during the 2024-25 financial year.
Earlier this year, campaigners called on people to write to the Mayor of London, Lord Khan, urging him to refuse a mooted £1.2billion project at Liverpool Street. It has been approved by the City of London. The Victorian Society argued that the changes would "involve extensive demolition of the historic station", and "would cause serious and irreversible harm to the station and its setting, alongside years of disruption for passengers". Network Rail says it will "transform London Liverpool Street for the generations to come".
