Step-free Access To Northern Line At Waterloo Moves Forward

Step-free access to the Northern Line at Waterloo station has moved a step closer after a deal was agreed with the developer of an office block being constructed directly above the station.

Building.co.uk reports that Elizabeth House, an office block that runs alongside Waterloo Station is scheduled to be demolished, and developers are contributing to local area improvements as part of the planning condition, including enabling step-free access to the Northern line platforms.

According to the planning documents, adding a lift shaft to the Bakerloo Line can be achieved without any interference to surface buildings, but lifts to the Northern Line will only be able to be built if the surface buildings are demolished.

This means the planned demolition of Elizabeth House provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide the Northern Line with a lift shaft and step-free access.

The cost of providing the lift shaft to safeguard the possibility for step-free access to the Northern Line is estimated to be £4.5 million, although the developer is only liable for £1.8 million of the costs.

Additional funding will be needed to complete the work, and according to the Lambeth Council planning documents, is likely to come from TfL with possible funding sources being the TfL Business Plan and potential contributions from other schemes.

The plans would require the developer to construct a 2.5-metre lift shaft from the ground to 2.5 metres below the level of the Northern Line, to allow for the lift equipment to fit in underneath.

When completed the lift will operate from the lower concourse level that already exists down to the platform level of the Northern line.

When completed, the Elizabeth House redevelopment will be renamed One Waterloo, and will also include a promenade that will provide an acre of green space, open to the public and accessible directly from the Waterloo Station concourse linking the mainline station with York Road.

If you need a lift solution, talk to our Customer Service team today on 01843 610060 or visit www.keplifts.co.uk.