Improving London Waterloo station

Improving the experience for passengers at London Waterloo

This summer, we’ll start work renewing the escalators as we continue to make good progress replacing the 100-year-old station roof. We’re also improving customer information systems, upgrading the retail offer and have completed refurbishing and remodeling the toilets. 

Replacing escalators at Waterloo

Our lift at Exit 2 is due to be replaced in 2026/27. But as it undertakes circa 350,000 journeys a year and is one of our older assets, it needs to have some work done now to keep it running safely. We can’t source all the parts quickly because to the age of the lift they aren’t easily available. This means that we will have to wait longer than we would like to complete the work on the pistons.

Meanwhile, our lift engineers are working hard to speed up this process and be ready to install them as soon as they can.

Repairing London Waterloo’s 100-year-old roof 

Waterloo station mezzenine and concourse

The roof that covers the station concourse was rebuilt just after the First World War in 1922. After over 100 years of protecting passengers from the elements, it’s time to replace the old glazing 

The work is needed as the existing glazing and support structures require more intensive and expensive maintenance to stop leaks.   

Work to replace the glazed panels and the support structures which hold them and a full repaint of the roof structure started in summer 2023 and will continue for four years. The project also includes repairing the Porte Cochere roofs which provide shelter on Cab Road. 

How will the station be affected by roof works?  

The operation of the station, including passenger services and retail outlets, won’t be affected by the work.  

We’ll build a temporary roof structure under the existing roof to protect passengers from the elements. Passengers will see a scaffolding deck that moves across the concourse as the works progress.  

We’ll install eight temporary staircases across the station: one on the concourse and seven on the mezzanine. These will be dismantled in sequence as the works progress. 

All work relating to the temporary structures and access stairwells will take place at night to prevent noise and dust during normal station operations.  

We’ll carry out all other works, including removing existing panels and replacing concourse lights, while the station is open to the public. 

Coming soon

New public address systems 

The current public address system is outdated and fails to meet today’s passenger expectations or modern accessibility standards.  We are installing new speakers containing the latest technology to improve the quality and clarity of announcements across the station.

More places to eat, shop and play

We are revamping Waterloo’s retail and food offerings as part of our ongoing investment in the station Ye

Completed Works

Contact us

For more information or to get in touch with us, please contact us by visiting our contact us page or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.