Network Rail has started work to renovate the roof at Waterloo Station in London.

Engineers have begun work on this two-year project to refurbish the 100-year-old station roof which overlooks the main concourse and was rebuilt just after the First World War in 1922.

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

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% lighter in weight, reducing stress on the structure and future proofing it for decades to come.


A range of other work to improve the overall customer experience at the station is also being carried out where teams plan to make huge improvements to the station’s retail offering which will see new brands and food outlets coming to the station, as well as giving some existing shops a makeover.

Station teams have also listened to customer feedback and are adding additional sustainable wooden seats to keep people comfortable when waiting for trains which will add to the 480 seats, plus 120 seats on platforms.

Work also started earlier this year to refurbish the toilets, 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.

This is part of the wider Improving London Waterloo station programme of work planned over the next few years.