Improving London Waterloo station
We are working on a series of projects to improve the experience for passengers at London Waterloo
We have refurbished the toilets and are replacing the 100-year-old station roof. We’re also improving customer information systems and upgrading the retail offer.
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Refurbished toilets at London Waterloo station
Work is complete on a project to refurbish and remodel the toilets, improving the experience for all passengers.
We needed this investment because the old toilet facilities were outdated and didn’t meet modern accessibility standards or passengers’ expectations.
What did we do?
- Refurbished all facilities with modern fittings and fixtures.
- Upgraded plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems.
- Switched the location of the female and male toilets allowing us to balance capacity.
- Installed toilets for passengers with unseen disabilities.
- Remodelled the concourse level lobby providing accessible toilets which both contain baby change facilities.
- Installed a ramp to give step-free access to accessible and baby change areas via the concourse lobby.
What are the benefits?
Improved passenger experience
Modern fixtures and fittings, as well as plumbing, electrical and mechanical upgrades give passengers a more pleasant environment and more reliable facilities that can better manage the heavy demands of a busy station.
More accessible
- A balanced number of male and female facilities, as well as a new gender-neutral facility meets the needs and expectations of passengers travelling today.
- New ambulant toilets improves accessibility for passengers travelling with unseen disabilities.
- Step-free access to accessible toilets and baby changing areas makes it easier for people with impaired mobility, the elderly and parents with children.
Repairing London Waterloo’s 100-year-old roof
The roof that covers the station concourse was rebuilt just after the First World War in 1922. After over 100 years of protecting passengers from the elements, it’s time to replace the old glazing
The work is needed as the existing glazing and support structures needed more intensive and expensive maintenance to stop leaks.
Work to replace the glazed panels and the support structures which hold them and a full repaint of the roof structure started in summer 2023 and will continue for four years. The project also includes repairing the Porte Cochere roofs which provide shelter on Cab Road.
How will the station be affected by roof works?
The operation of the station, including passenger services and retail outlets will be unaffected by the work.
We will build a temporary roof structure under the existing roof to protect passengers from the elements. Passengers will see a scaffolding deck that moves across the concourse as the works progress.
We will install eight temporary staircases across the station: one on the concourse and seven on the mezzanine. These will be dismantled in sequence as the works progress.
All work relating to the temporary structures and access stairwells will take place at night to prevent noise and dust during normal station operations.
We will carry out all other works, including removing existing panels and replacing concourse lights, while the station is open to the public.
Waterloo Escalators
The escalators for Exit 2 are ageing, meaning parts are more difficult to repair or procure so we are now planning to replace the escalators.
We are currently finalising the programme which will see all four escalators replaced in 2025 – we will have firmer timelines to share with you soon.
The work will take some time to complete which will mean some disruption to your experience at the station, such as a one-way system for escalators during busy commuter times. Visitors will be able to use stairs at Exit 2 if they can, which will add a couple of minutes to journeys.
Coming soon
New public address systems
The current public address system is outdated and fails to meet today’s passenger expectations or modern accessibility standards. We are installing new speakers containing the latest technology to improve the quality and clarity of announcements across the station.
More places to eat, shop and play
We are revamping Waterloo’s retail and food offerings as part of our ongoing investment in the station
Contact us
For more information or to get in touch with us, please contact us by visiting our contact us page or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.