London Liverpool Street Station Named Best in Europe with Big Renovation Plans
London Liverpool Street Station: Best in Europe
London Liverpool Street station, the UK’s busiest, was recently recognized as one of the best train stations in Europe. The station first opened its doors in 1874, replacing the Bishopsgate Station.
Ranking Among Europe’s Best
A recent study conducted by luggage storage company Bounce analyzed Google review data to determine which train stations had the highest ratings. London Liverpool Street was ranked as the highest in the UK, coming in fourth alongside Victoria and Waterloo stations. Despite being beaten by Amsterdam Centraal, Zurich Hauptbahnhof in Switzerland, and Utrect Centraal in the Netherlands, Liverpool Street was also the most popular on social media with hundreds of thousands of Instagram tags.
Historical Significance and Current Services
Dating back 150 years, London Liverpool Street played a crucial role during World War II as part of the Kindertransport rescue efforts. Today, the station offers underground services on the Central line, Hammersmith & City line, Circle line, and Metropolitan line. It connects the city to destinations like Cambridge, Norwich, and Essex, with direct airport services to Stansted Airport and Southend Airport.
Upcoming Renovation Plans
London Liverpool Street is set to undergo a significant £1.5 billion renovation. The renovation includes the construction of a new 20-story tower with office and hotel spaces above a Grade-II listed building, formerly the Great Eastern Hotel. Plans also include a heated rooftop swimming pool, cafe, garden, and around £450 million in repairs across the station.
Despite the grand plans, the proposal has faced over 2,000 objections, with some critics deeming the design as “ugly” and incompatible with the area’s aesthetics. Notable celebrities such as Stephen Fry and Tracy Emin have opposed the designs, and the station was included in The Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered buildings list in 2023.
Future Prospects
Despite the controversies, Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and Network Rail, the parties behind the renovation plans, argue that the redevelopment is necessary as the station has not seen any major updates since the 1980s. They emphasize that the station is currently operating “well over capacity” and aim to ensure the preservation and enhancement of its historic elements.
Conclusion
London Liverpool Street stands as a historic landmark with a promising future ahead. As one of the UK’s most used train stations, it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of its passengers while preserving its rich heritage. With major renovation plans on the horizon, the station is poised to become an even more essential transportation hub in the years to come.