Network Rail Reveals Liverpool Street Upgrade: Doubles Capacity

London Liverpool Street Station will double passenger capacity, adding lifts and escalators, addressing congestion, and modernizing a key transport hub for millions.

January 21, 2026 7:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Network Rail has detailed plans to redevelop London Liverpool Street, Britain’s busiest station, to double its passenger capacity.
The project targets a capacity of over 200 million passengers annually, up from nearly 100 million currently, by enlarging the concourse and adding 8 new lifts and 6 new escalators.
The proposal, which includes a new office building, reflects a wider UK trend of upgrading critical transport hubs while navigating heritage site constraints, similar to HS2’s work at Curzon Street Station.

LONDON, UK – Network Rail has released detailed redevelopment plans for London Liverpool Street, Britain’s busiest station, aiming to accommodate a projected surge in passenger numbers to over 200 million annually. The proposal, which has received over 1,000 expressions of public support, comes as part of a broader national focus on rail infrastructure modernization, alongside projects such as HS2’s Euston spoil-removal plan and the approved heritage-sensitive repairs at Birmingham’s Curzon Street Station.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project	London Liverpool Street Station Redevelopment
Current Passenger Volume	~100 million rail entries/exits annually
Forecasted Volume (2041)	158 million annually
Future Design Capacity	Over 200 million passengers annually
Key Stakeholders	Network Rail, City of London
Accessibility Upgrades	8 new lifts; 6 new escalators (total of 10)
Public Consultation	Nearly 2,000 comments; >1,000 expressions of support

Operational & Technical Details

The core of the redevelopment is a significant expansion of the main concourse to mitigate current and future congestion. The plan focuses heavily on improving accessibility and passenger flow, directly addressing feedback from public consultation. This includes increasing the number of escalators from four to ten and adding eight new lifts to provide comprehensive step-free access.

The project also involves adding new ticket barriers, modernizing toilet and family facilities, and installing clearer signage to improve wayfinding. A new commercial office building will be constructed above the concourse. The design explicitly considers the station’s heritage context, aiming to enhance major entrances while respecting the adjacent Grade II* listed Andaz Hotel and the surrounding conservation area.

Market Impact Analysis

The Liverpool Street redevelopment is a strategic asset upgrade to address a critical capacity bottleneck in London’s transport infrastructure. The project’s funding and design model, which integrates a major commercial property development, provides a template for financing large-scale public transport projects. This approach is crucial as the UK government balances infrastructure investment with fiscal pressures.

This project’s challenge of blending modern capacity requirements with heritage preservation is a recurring theme in the UK rail sector. It mirrors the complexities faced by HS2 at Birmingham’s Curzon Street, where works must safeguard a Grade I listed building. Successfully navigating these planning and design hurdles at Liverpool Street will reinforce stakeholder confidence in delivering similar complex projects nationwide.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What is the main goal of this project?

The primary goal is to increase passenger capacity at Britain’s busiest station from nearly 100 million to over 200 million annually, while significantly improving accessibility with new lifts and escalators.

When is the expected completion date?

The provided plans and announcements do not specify a project timeline or an expected completion date.