Engineering works start for Waterloo’s largest upgrade
Posted: 7 August 2017 | Global Railway Review | No comments yet
One of the most significant and complex engineering projects at Waterloo Station in the last century has begun, as ten of the station’s platforms will be shut for three-and-a-half weeks to make room for the work. See a timelapse video below of the work beginning…
The upgrade to passenger services at Waterloo station will cost around £800 million and over the three-and-a-half weeks, 1000 engineers and track-side staff will be working shifts 24 hours-a-day to build extensions onto platforms 1-4, and to modify platforms 5-8, so that longer, modern trains can run from December 2017.
By the end of next year we will have made space for another 45,000 people at peak times”
“From the end of this year our passengers will be able to enjoy a much more comfortable journey into this station, with longer, modern trains,” said Becky Lumlock, route managing director at Network Rail. “And by the end of next year we will have made space for another 45,000 people at peak times as we turn the old Waterloo International into a high frequency commuter terminal fit for the 21st century.”
Almost 100 million passengers pass through Waterloo station each year and during the morning peak over 600 passengers arrive each minute.
[This is] the biggest and most important capacity improvement scheme Waterloo station has ever seen”
“[The works] mark the culmination of months and months of careful planning by South West Trains and Network Rail in preparation for the biggest and most important capacity improvement scheme Waterloo station has ever seen,” added Margaret Kay, managing director for South West Trains. “We’ll continue to work closely with Network Rail to keep our customers informed on their travel over the coming weeks whilst this work takes place. We’ll also be doing everything we can to help reduce the impact on passengers, including providing longer trains throughout the day and having extra staff on hand to help.”
These engineering works are part of the Waterloo and South West Upgrade which will ultimately provide space for 45,000 extra passengers every morning and every evening to and from Waterloo station.
