Buildings and Architecture design guidance

Strategy and policy documents

Our principles of good design
6 MB
This document sets out overarching, what strategic the design principles are as well as, why they matter, what they apply to and how they will benefit the Network Rail estate.
Buildings and Architecture Strategy
58 KB
This document outlines the current strategy of Network Rail’s Technical Building and Architecture team, including vision and delivery tactics.
The CP7 Buildings and Architecture Policy
788 KB
This document sets out governing principles and outlines the steps and initiatives the five Network Rail Regions should focus on for CP7 to deliver a ‘Mobility as a Service’ Vision.

Design guidance manuals

Climate Action Design Manual
6 MB
Addressing two of the four priorities in Network Rail’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy – a low emission railway and a reliable railway service that is resilient to climate change.
Design Advice Panel
3 MB
Strategic guidance: Provides advice on assessing the suitability of projects for Design Review, and the procedure for undertaking the reviews with Network Rail’s independent Design Advice Panel.
Station Design
29 MB
Strategic guidance: Provides guidance to those involved in the early design and commissioning of station works, to give a better understanding of the key factors that influence design outcomes.
Station Capacity Planning
5 MB
Strategic guidance: Provides guidance for undertaking station capacity assessments. Specifies thresholds for the planning and design of passenger areas, considering safety, ‘value for money’ and passenger experience.
Fire Safety at Stations
8 MB
This Design Manual provides contextual information on the regulatory background to fire safety design in the rail environment, and the Network Rail approval and assurance process for station projects.
Masterplanning at Stations
13 MB
High level guidance to support the station masterplanning process from commissioning through to implementation.
Medium to Small Stations
17 MB
This document outlines the HUB Station concept for small and medium stations – a design manual and kit of parts aimed at the Sponsors, designers and planners of new and upgraded railway stations across Britain
Implementation Strategy for Medium to Small Stations
3 MB
This document only sets out the steps required to engage local community and stakeholders impacted by the creation of a medium to small station, prior to construction of the station on site.
Materials and Components
13 MB
This guide presents general advice on the selection and specification of materials, finishes, and component elements across Network Rail Stations.
Lighting in Stations
17 MB
This design guide contains comprehensive and structured quality guidelines illustrating good practice lighting design principles, benchmarking standards of design and signposting ways to deliver optimum outcomes in the Station environment.
Vertical Circulation
7 MB
Identifies the key challenges in providing successful Vertical Circulation in Stations at each stage of a project
Parking and Mobility in Stations
13 MB
Guidance for parking and mobility planning in and around stations establishing the vision for the future integration and use of emerging mobility technologies and services.
Electric Vehicle Charging Points and Associated Infrastructure
1 MB
This design manual is intended to provide guidance on the requirements and considerations for Electric Vehicle Charge Points (EVCPs) across the Network Rail estate and station parking.
Public realm at Stations
79 MB
Guidance setting out the aspirations and principles for all new public realm and public realm renovations or adaptions near stations.
Heritage: Care and Development
25 MB
Strategic guidance: Provides guidance to the legislative framework which protects Network Rail’s historic estate. It also provides advice as to how best to maintain the estate.
Public toilets
3 MB
Station Design guidance: Provides guidance as to design approach for public toilets across Network Rail’s estate.
Station Facilities & Amenities
6 MB
This guidance provides advice on facilities which are essential provisions and amenities which are additional and desirable provisions in railway stations.
Retail Design Manual for Stations
10 MB
This manual places the design of retail units into the context of rail stations ranging from large-scale station masterplan redevelopments through to fit-out of individual units at large and small stations.
Station Footbridges and Subways
17 MB
Footbridges and Subways Guidance on Footbridge and Subway design within stations and out of stations. Comparison of the Standard Footbridge Design and guidance on bespoke designs.
Wayfinding Design issue 3
31 MB
Compliance guidance: Provides guidance on the requirements for the specification of new and updating of existing directional signs within Network Rail managed stations.
Rail Symbol 2
399 KB
The purpose of this guidance is to provide a definitive version of the Rail Symbol for use on the UK national railway network, including graphic reproduction in various formats and mediums.
Rail Clock
3 MB
This technical guide serves as the authoritative reference for the consistent and accurate implementation of Rail Clock across the rail network.
Tactile Paving and Wayfinding
3 MB
Tactile Paving and Wayfinding Guidance on warning paving in stations and how tactile wayfinding can be correctly applied in stations.
Inclusive Design
9 MB
Compliance guidance: Provides guidance for inclusive design, key standards and procedures that Network Rail expect project teams to apply in designing and delivering the built environment of Britain’s railways.
Diversity Impact Assessment Guidance
1 MB
This manual presents Network Rail’s requirements for the completion of DIAs for projects, programmes and/or business changes, to support the Diversity Impact Assessment Standard: NR/L2/OHS/00135.
Built Environment Accessibility Panel Guide
2 MB
The Built Environment Accessibility Panel (BEAP) guidance document is a useful guide for those who seek advice and support on engagement with the BEAP, outlining the rules, expectations and rules of engagement.
Investment in Stations
6 MB
This guidance presents Network Rail’s guidance for third parties who may wish to promote a station enhancement and/or which wish to consider funding a station enhancement, either in part or in full. The guidance is also for Network Rail staff who engage with third parties that are promoting station enhancements
Maintenance Delivery Units
4 MB
Operational guidance: Provides guidance for new and existing Maintenance Delivery Units design.
Workplace DNA
32 MB
Operational guidance: Provides guidance on the design of Network Rail workplaces.
Low and Net Zero Carbon Plant Room Guide
907 KB
This design guide presents Network Rail’s requirements of key elements to consider when designing a plantroom, as well as when in a project’s lifecycle key decisions should be made.
Redundant Signal Box Strategy
3 MB
Operational guidance: Provides guidance for signal boxes that are no longer required for railway operations, including retention, demolition and relocation.

Standardised Footbridge Design

Network Rail’s Building and Architecture team has partnered with international and local design firms to develop a series of standardised footbridges that can be used across Britain’s railway to deliver a consistent, high-quality built environment.

Frame Footbridge
37 MB
Design in collaboration with Gottlieb Paludan Architects and Strasky, Husty and Partners.
Ribbon Footbridge
12 MB
Designed in collaboration with ARUP and Knight Architects.
Beacon Footbridge
6 MB
Designed in collaboration with Haskoll and Davies Maguire.
  • Buildings & Architecture Design Hub – Free public link, requiring registration, to the Design and Guidance resources of Technical Authority’s Building & Architecture.
  • ThinkStation Report – Report summarising industry and passenger stakeholder cocreation series to help develop ideas for a future passenger hub.
  • HUB book – A study of standardised railway stations around Britain, commissioned by Network Rail.
  • LINK book – A photographic study of 100 footbridges on the British railway network.
  • Timepiece: Designing Modern Time – A historical survey of Railway Clocks commissioned by Network Rail.
  • Connections – The Network Rail Footbridge Design Ideas Competition