New southern entrance planned at revamped Waterloo terminus

London’s Waterloo terminus could get a new southern entrance under joint plans by Lambeth Council and Network Rail to ease congestion on the main concourse.

This, and making use of the undercrofts St Pancras style, are part of a long-term plan to regenerate the area around the station and its surrounding South Bank area. More details will be available later this year.

Other proposals include remodelling the northern gateway - half an acre of green space with hundreds of new trees - and the relocation of the bus and taxi interchange to a new position on the southeastern side.

There will be 40 improved cycle routes and footpaths as well as new ones, more shops and up to 290,000 square feet of office and community space.

While the entire project may take some time to achieve, Lambeth is putting up £1.5 million to work with developers and financiers to make a number of faster-fix alterations.

After experiencing a tough time during COVID, Waterloo is back as the UK’s third-busiest station with 57.8 million passengers recorded last year. While commuter business is less strong, rail usefully serves the Southbank Centre, National Theatre, BFI, Old Vic and the London Eye.

Network Rail chair, Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill, said: “We are delighted to be working with Lambeth Council on an exciting long-term plan to transform London Waterloo station.

“London Waterloo is iconic, and 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 that use the station each year, today and into the future.

“This a significant but first step towards realising this ambition, and there is a great deal of work to do to progress this forward and find funding. We look forward to working with our wider partners, passengers, local businesses and organisations, and the local community, as we refine these plans.”

Pictured is an artist’s impression of Waterloo station’s undercroft as Network Rail sees it following remodelling.