A hidden gem in the City of London
The study looked at ways to improve passenger and pedestrian experiences; how to make the area easier and more attractive for everyone to move around. We also needed to ensure the station was accessible and legible, safe and secure, as well as sustainable and future-proofed for increasing numbers of users. The project was developed in full consultation with key stakeholders including the City of London, Network Rail, Transport for London, Heritage England and Royal Historic Palaces.
A vibrant new discovery
Short, medium and long term scenarios were developed as well as a wider strategic vision focused around five overarching strategies: rail, movement, commercial return, community and place making. The study looked at reviving the historic arches under the railway and improving the urban realm and pedestrian experience, particularly around the interchange between Fenchurch Street Station, Tower Hill Underground Station and Tower Gateway DLR station.
To meet the station’s future capacity requirement we identified an exciting opportunity to relocate the current terminus station at Tower Gateway. This move would allow for a more efficient interchange between rail and onward travel and unlock the rail corridor between the current station and Tower Gateway for development. The new corridor would generate significant development value and provide new high quality urban realm in the heart of the City.
The team’s ability to take the brief became clear from the outset. Their ability to break down the commission into discrete tasks and investigate, assess and prioritise them in short and long term investigations gave the project clear focus and ensured that we developed only those solutions that were practical and achievable in the short term, yet ambitious and thought provoking over the longer term, addressing the original brief.