A major step towards a new retail and leisure destination for London
A new thoroughfare below the additional platforms in the former Eurostar terminal opens today (Thursday January 31). It is the latest phase of redevelopment at Waterloo station being delivered using an innovative alliancing model comprising WW+P, Aecom, Mott MacDonald, Network Rail, Skanska and Colas Rail (Wessex Capacity Alliance).
The thoroughfare formerly known as the Orchestra Pit, which has been closed since 2007 makes transferring between the underground and over ground train services quicker and more pleasant and includes new interchange stairs, lifts and ramps. However, by 2021, it will be transformed into the upper of three new levels of high quality retail and leisure space.
It is sited under a new elegant glass enclosure which connects the former Eurostar terminal’s distinctive three-pin arch roof to the main Waterloo station roof. A new pedestrian bridge connects the main station to a generous concourse area, with extra ticket barriers and new customer information screens. A direct connection between the iconic Victory Arch entrance and the new platforms 20–24 is now provided and for the first time the former Eurostar terminal seamlessly integrates additional capacity for domestic services.
London Waterloo currently serves approximately 100 million annual passenger journeys with usage forecast to increase significantly. The £800 million Waterloo and South West Upgrade will boost capacity at the station by 30%.
Daniel Moor, Partner at WW+P said: “The team is very proud to have delivered this new piece of infrastructure. This was a large and challenging project that will be a great asset to commuters, local residents and to visitors to this part of the capital. It required sophisticated design, engineering and construction work, together with a great deal of communication and collaboration to get to this point. The benefits of the Alliance working model have been particularly apparent, where strong collaboration across many parent organisations has been very effective. It is a great example of what can be achieved by working well together."
WW+P is also working closely with LCR, Network Rail and the Wessex Capacity Alliance on the major new retail, leisure and cultural destination underneath platforms 20 to 24, which is scheduled to open in 2021.
Nick McGough, Associate Partner at WW+P said: “Bringing these platforms back into use is a huge achievement and represents the first stage in redeveloping the whole former Eurostar Terminal. We have been working collaboratively with both LCR and NR to ensure the existing structure is sensitively repurposed to accommodate a new shopping centre, providing approximately 120,000 sq ft of high quality retail and leisure uses over three levels. Additionally the scheme provides staff and back-of-house facilities and associated retail infrastructure, such as a new service yard for deliveries. When complete, Britain’s busiest station will become a new shopping destination in its own right, integrating a contemporary major new retail offer while celebrating the building’s previous life as an international rail terminal."
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