Getting to the trains at Liverpool Street station could be a lot easier as Network Rail is planning to increase the number of ticket barriers by removing some of the food kiosks that sit alongside the platforms.
CGI of proposed gateline with food outlets removed – source Network Rail
The plans are very similar to those being carried out at the moment at London Victoria, to remove the retail outlets along the gateline and provide more passenger gates.
Currently, the gateline is broken up into five sections by six small retail units, mostly selling food. The works will see the loss of the retail outlets, but passengers gain an expected 24 additional gates to get to and from the trains – taking Platforms 1-10 from 36 ticket barriers to 60 ticket barriers – an increase of 67 percent.
Of the 24 new ticket barriers, four will be wide access gates.
CGI of the platform side of the expanded gateline with retail kiosks removed – source Network Rail
According to the application, the proposed gate line works will be undertaken in a staged approach in order to reduce the impact on passengers and users of the station.
To mitigate the loss of the six hot food kiosks, they plan to create three new retail outlets next to Platform 10.
Sitting alongside Platform 10 is the former First Class lounge and the ticket office. The intention is to move the ticket office into the old First Class lounge and then convert the now vacant ticket office into space for three new retail outlets – two facing onto the platform and one to the side.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Our planned project to install more ticket gates between platforms 1-10 will help to minimise crowding at busy times, making it quicker and easier for passengers to move around the station. A similar scheme to add more ticket gates between platforms 11-17 has already been carried out.
“We’re always working with our partners to give everyone at Liverpool Street the warmest possible welcome. Other improvements have included fast and free WiFi, better seating, revamped retail areas and a deep clean of our Bishopsgate entrance dome. Most recently, we launched a new space called Calm Corner, which we are using to promote wellbeing and encourage everyone to look out for each other.”
The planning application is now with the City of London for their consideration.
The changes are unrelated to the proposed oversite development.
But I thought the only possible way to improve Liverpool St is to bury it beneath a glass skyscraper?
The oversite development is one option – no one (sensible) has said it’s the only option available to improve the station
I always (since 1988 at least) wondered why “British Bulldog” was chosen for the Liverpool Street station design…
These barriers will mean even more people in the play-area!
It seems like whilst bad ideas to supposedly deal with overcrowding (i.e. the massive oversite development) are going through planning Network Rail is getting on with more sensible solutions to improve the station. We’ve seen plans to install a second lift. They’re now dealing with the gate-line crowding by removing those small units, which your oversite development article mentions was part of their plans to deal with overcrowding.
It’s almost as if someone at Network Rail is trying to undermine the developers arguments for the need to build their monstrosity, by announcing these improvements which will be happening regardless.
Can they remove that superstructure from over the gatelines while they’re at it? It obscures the view of the wonderful glass roof. Paddington is so much nicer for not having one.
Hear hear
Crikey. A station prioritising rail passengers over retail revenue.
St Pancras take note….
Keith ..
You noticed!
Shades of when BR was TOLD to prepare for the closure of the Settle & Carlisle line, by misgovernment & promptly proceeded to do just that whilst undermining the whole thing
I certainly hope so.
Ditch ticket gates. They just slow everything down. Honest people pay. Dishonest people always find a way past them. They just push through at all the stations I work at, and the staff can’t do anything anyway.
Good luck with Liverpool Street. If it anything like the same process that is taking place at Victoria, the cost will be eye watering and will go on forever.