Network Rail have unveiled an artist’s impression of a new balcony at Waterloo station will help to alleviate overcrowding whilst, by coincidence, also ferrying passengers to a new strip of shops and cafes.
The raised glass-fronted walkway, at the back of Britain’s busiest station (by passenger numbers), would be 220m in length, almost as long as the concourse itself. Most of the shops and facilities currently found in the middle of the station would be relocated to the new space, providing more room for the Surrey-bound to stare at those impassive destination boards. The walkway would also “improve the connection” between Waterloo and its underloved sibling, Waterloo East. NR will consult with English Heritage and Lambeth council prior to finalising the plans.
Sadly, no bright plans yet over the future of the Eurostar platforms, which have so far cost £4.1 million to keep mothballed. If that seems a lot of money, bear in mind that the cost of converting them to domestic use, which would involve considerable work on the lines coming into Waterloo, will cost a lot more.
