Waterloo station to be made brighter with new roof

London Waterloo station is being given a new roof to provide more light at the station.

Network Rail engineers have begun work on this two-year project to refurbish the 100-year-old station roof, rebuilt just after the First World War in 1922.

Work is needed to replace the existing glazing and support structures in order to bring the roof back to its former glory.

During this time a one-way system on Cab Road for taxis and delivery vans will be in place and customers may expect to see some scaffolding up in the station.

Approximately 10,000 new glazed panels will be installed across 12,000 square metres of roof, an area almost twice the size of the pitch at Wembley Stadium.

The panels will be made from a polycarbonate glazing material which is around 50 per cent lighter in weight, reducing stress on the structure and future proofing it for decades to come.

The toilets will also be refurbished, adding a gender-neutral facility as well as more female facilities to bring them in line with what is available for males, plus extra baby changing areas.

Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s customer and commercial director, said: “The refurbishment of the roof will mean that the building will be lighter and other works will provide more seating as well as improved customer information screens, better shopping and better opportunities for eating and drinking.

“Our colleagues at Network Rail will be carrying out these improvements with as little disruption to normal station working as possible and we look forward to welcoming customers to a brighter Waterloo.”

Pictured top: Waterloo station from above (Picture: Network Rail)