London Waterloo station masterplan unveiled

Plans for the redevelopment of London Waterloo station, SE1, and surrounding area have been unveiled by Network Rail and Lambeth Council. The joint venture, which includes several partners, has commissioned Grimshaw Architects to develop the vision for the site. Early proposals include 95,000 sq ft of affordable workspace, the opening of nearly 2m sq ft of undercrofts beneath the station to provide retail and community spaces, and an additional 1.2m sq ft of concourse space. Other proposals include public realm improvements to the nearby Lambeth North neighbourhood and Lower Marsh, as well as 20 new pedestrian routes and 5,100 cycle spaces around the station. Documents for the jv said the design is “indicative only and have been worked up to demonstrate the potential opportunity for development to come forward around the station”. Network Rail chair Lord Peter Hendy said: “London Waterloo is… one of the busiest stations in the country and it is imperative this station continues to evolve to ensure it is a world-class transport hub and meets the needs of the millions of passengers who use the station each year, today and into the future. Lambeth Council leader Claire Holland said: “Waterloo and South Bank are hugely important to Lambeth’s economy and culture and are the gateway to millions of visitors’ journeys every year. The area is home to leading educational, cultural and healthcare institutions, as well as exciting start-ups at the forefront of the medical tech, digital and the green economy. “It’s increasingly a place for business to locate to, and significant, high-quality developments in the pipeline will bring new homes and workspaces. The vision document provides a strong framework for this change and will allow us to harness and shape the investment in Waterloo and South Bank to make sure spaces are safe, accessible and welcoming for our residents and visitors to the area.”