Victoria railway station targeted for potential transformation into hybrid of transport hub and homes

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

Network Rail is in the early stages of looking at potential redevelopment plans for London Victoria railway station to deliver an integrated transport hub and new homes.

The public body is working with Transport for London ’s (TfL) property development company, Places for London, to investigate the opportunity to transform the site.

Details of the proposal are currently fairly scant with no date as to when the public can expect to see any designs.

Network Rail and Places for London announced a strategic partnership in February 2023 with the intention of delivering more than 20,000 new homes over the next decade.

The station dates back to the Victorian era and is a key link for those heading out to Gatwick Airport.

It also enables commuters to access the London Underground and Victoria Coach station and is the sixth busiest train station in the UK, with more than 50 million passengers a year.

A Places for London spokesperson said: “Since early 2023, Places for London and Network Rail have had a strategic collaboration, aimed at accelerating the delivery of regeneration around shared transport interchanges across London. This work would see both bodies combine their efforts to deliver thriving places, including more homes, with a focus on affordable housing, and with great social impact that benefits local communities as well.

“As a major transport interchange, Victoria station is a key strategic location for both parties and we will provide further details on any future aspirations and provide opportunities to engage once they have sufficiently progressed.”

The  potential redevelopment of Victoria station was included as an item in Westminster City council’s Draft Infrastructure Plan. The council is in the process of publicly consulting on the strategy.

Westminster City council said it is also not able to give detailed information and that the projects included in the document are long-term ones that may not have begun yet.

The £60m estimated funding gap for the potential Victoria redevelopment is the largest sum included in the public transport document.

Other proposed works include a redesign of Charing Cross Station’s forecourt and public realm improvements for £20m and extending the platforms in Victoria for £4m.

Network Rail has recently been completing a £30m investment in Victoria to reduce congestion.

This has involved increasing the number of gates, removing some existing gate line retail, and expanding the station concourse area serving platforms 15 to 19.

Places for London also reopened the Victoria Station Arcade earlier this year following a £1.5m project restoring its shopfronts and Edwardian architecture.

The company has said it will be investing £300m improving its retail offering in the capital over the next 10 years.

Pictured top: Victoria Station (Picture: Google Street View)