The City of London’s planning committee has approved Network Rail’s £1.2 billion plans for Liverpool Street Station, a Grade II listed site. The project involves building a 97-metre (318ft) mixed-use tower directly above the station concourse, the UK’s busiest. Network Rail says the design respects the station’s “unique heritage” while modernising its facilities.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism. Actor Griff Rhys Jones, president of the Victorian Society and the Liverpool Street Station Campaign (Lissca), described the approval as a “sad day for the City of London.” He argued that the towering office block is unnecessary for the city’s development, will provide limited benefits for passengers, and prioritises retail over commuter needs.
Network Rail’s Eastern region managing director, Ellie Burrows, welcomed the decision, calling it a “key step towards transforming Britain’s busiest station.” She emphasised that the project aims to enhance the passenger experience while safeguarding the station’s heritage. With annual passenger numbers expected to rise to 158 million, the redevelopment is designed to future-proof the station for decades.
Currently, figures from the Office of Rail and Road show Liverpool Street handled 98.0 million entries and exits in the year to March 2025, highlighting the need for improvements to accommodate growing demand. The approval marks the start of what Network Rail calls “an exciting new chapter” for the historic London hub.
