Future Vision for London Waterloo Station and South Bank – Waterloo Station Masterplan

Lambeth Council and Network Rail have collaborated to develop an ambitious long-term plan for the development of London Waterloo station and the surrounding Waterloo and South Bank area. Developed through an extensive engagement process, the project was informed by quantitative socioeconomic evidence that yielded authentic, responsive, and evidence-based masterplan outcomes. Social value considerations went beyond procurement requirements and instead underpinned the process and technical content of the masterplan. A social and economic analysis of the area, as well as social value workshops and design audits focused masterplan options and framed a long-term social value strategy for the area. The team also estimated economic impact of emerging masterplan options, aligning built assets with key growth sectors of the LBL economy, creating a platform for these areas of economic inclusion to thrive. An Equalities Impact Assessment of anticipated masterplan outcomes also considered how the masterplan addresses the needs of particularly vulnerable communities. The masterplan sets out a series of long-term aspirations to deliver improvements to both the station and the wider area that will further improve the wider neighbourhood and make it easier and safer for people to move around, promote active travel and support the local economy. The masterplan outlines suggested improvements and upgrades including: → Better connections: 40+ enhanced walking and cycling routes, and 15+ improved gateways to the station and the City, helping encourage more active forms of travel and onward travel from the station. → Redesigned northern concourse: A remodelled entrance at the northern end of the station to better interact with the public realm and surrounding areas immediately outside the station. → New, southern station concourse: A new concourse in the south of the station to help improve passenger flow in, out and through the station, make the station even easier to navigate and reduce congestion on the existing concourse. → Enhanced public spaces: New and improved multi-generational, inclusive, and safe public spaces. → More green infrastructure: 1,900m2 of new green space around the station with proposals for hundreds of new trees. → Creation of new workspace and employment opportunities Network Rail and Lambeth Council, in partnership with South Bank Employers Group, South Bank BID, We Are Waterloo, LCR Property and local developers HB Reavis, Bourne Capital and SB Royal Holdings commissioned Grimshaw to develop the masterplan as a framework to help realise Waterloo’s full potential as a connected, safe, and thriving net-zero neighbourhood with an integrated world-class station at its heart. London Waterloo station is the third busiest transport hub in the country with 57.8m entries and exits last year, is a major gateway into the City and to the Waterloo and South Bank area and encompasses iconic cultural institutions including the National Theatre, Old Vic and London Eye. Lambeth Council, Network Rail and partners will bring forward a programme of short-term investment to begin delivering the vision of the masterplan and there will be further engagement with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to refine and develop detailed proposals.