Network Rail has completed the replacement of the final glazing panels at London Liverpool Street station, marking a major milestone in one of the most significant roof refurbishment projects ever undertaken at Britain’s busiest rail terminus.
The last cracked glass panels were successfully replaced during five weekend closures in March, when the main concourse was designated an exclusion zone to allow engineers to carry out the work safely overhead. The operation concludes the replacement of thousands of ageing panels across the station’s iconic Victorian trainshed.
Earlier phases of the programme focused on platforms 1–10, where engineers removed discoloured and lichen‑covered glazing across 11,000 square metres — an area equivalent to 8.8 Olympic‑sized swimming pools. The new panels are already transforming the station environment, flooding the concourse and platforms with natural light and significantly improving the passenger experience.
Once all scaffolding is removed later this year, the full visual impact of the refurbishment will be realised. In addition to improving aesthetics, the new glazing and associated drainage upgrades will reduce water ingress, helping to improve safety and reliability by minimising leaks onto platforms and concourses.
Extensive track and infrastructure upgrades delivered during March closures
Network Rail used the March weekend closures to deliver a wide programme of critical infrastructure works across the Anglia route, maximising the benefits of extended access while passenger services were suspended.
Engineers completed a range of upgrades to improve reliability and performance for passengers using Greater Anglia, Stansted Express, the Elizabeth line and the London Overground Weaver line. Works included:
- Track drainage improvements at Liverpool Street and Harold Wood
- Repairs to overhead line equipment at Liverpool Street and Shenfield
- Structural repairs to the underside of the road‑over‑rail bridge at Forest Gate station
- Replacement of worn track crossings at Stratford, Shenfield and Ingatestone
- Renewal of 1.5km of life‑expired track at Ilford and Gidea Park
- Ballast renewal and overhead line maintenance at Cambridge Heath and Hackney Downs
- Replacement of old drainage pipes at Prittlewell on the Southend Victoria line
- Ballast repacking and track quality improvements at multiple locations
Elizabeth line station improvements delivered with TfL
Alongside Network Rail’s works, Transport for London delivered a series of station upgrades on the Elizabeth line, supported by Network Rail teams. These included:
- Manor Park: Full roof replacement, including removal of an asbestos canopy roof, and general maintenance to the main station building
- Harold Wood: Structural repairs to platform 4
- Manor Park, Harold Wood and Chadwell Heath: Platform improvements including enhanced drainage, resurfacing, reinstated markings and new tactile paving
Mark Walker, Network Rail Anglia infrastructure director, said:
“We completed a huge amount of work over these March weekends that we simply couldn’t have got done during regular overnight maintenance. We’re really sorry for the disruption to services, but these upgrades will help us to deliver a better, brighter and more robust railway for passengers travelling to and from Britain’s busiest station.”
Further works still to come in 2026
The Liverpool Street roof refurbishment programme will continue throughout the year. Remaining works include further drainage enhancements, removal of scaffolding and the replacement of the decorative wooden valance at the end of the trainshed following full restoration.
Network Rail’s contractor for the project is Morgan Sindall Infrastructure.
Image credits: Network Rail
