Stratford station redevelopment: What is being proposed for the UK’s fastest-growing station?

Proposals are being worked on to redevelop Stratford station, the fastest-growing in the UK, and the surrounding area, with an initial business case due to be submitted to the Government imminently. But what could they include?

In October 2022, the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) led a second consultation on plans being formulated to improve both the station and the local area, in partnership with Transport for London (TfL), National Rail, and Newham Council.

Costed at between £300m and £1bn, they include the construction of between 1,000 and 2,000 homes, up to 10,000 jobs, and a host of new amenities, including shops, green spaces and streets.

According to a published timeline, a business case was to be submitted to the Government requesting funding in early 2023. The lead for the project confirmed this is due to be done “any day now”, with a full planning application hoping to be submitted to Newham Council in the next three to four years.

Let’s take a look at what we know about the potential redevelopment.

Why is the work being proposed?

Stratford station has, along with much of the area around it, grown at quite the rate over the last 20 years or so.

Enabling passengers to easily travel into the city via services such as the Elizabeth line and Central line, as well as out to destinations such as Stansted Airport, the station is pivotal to the ongoing development of the East End.

Demonstrating just how quickly it has grown, in 2006, the station recorded 40m passengers. By 2019, this had shot up to 128m, with TfL predicting numbers to increase by a further 60% by 2041.

The consultation website states: “Stations have been at the heart of Stratford’s growth since it was opened in 1839 by the Eastern Counties Railway all the way through to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

“So much has happened at Stratford station over the past 20 years. The Jubilee line extension brought better connections along with a new station concourse, further improvements were made for the 2012 Games including the ‘rusty’ pedestrian bridge over the station that links Westfield.

“As more new homes and businesses come to Stratford and as visitor numbers increase - with developments like the new cultural and education district at East Bank – the station will need significant investment to keep working for people.

“We know there are some measures needed right now and these are being worked on with our partners. But we need your ideas and unique knowledge of the stations and wider Stratford town to help build the right stations for the future of Stratford.

“Starting the planning now means we have time to get this right and make sure there is a coordinated approach with Newham Council and their work on Stratford Town Centre and the Carpenters Estate.”

What is being proposed for Stratford station?

Working alongside Newham Council, TfL and Network Rail since 2021, the LLDC has led the project proposing the redevelopment of Stratford station and the local area.

If it goes ahead, the project is expected to deliver:

• Between 1,000 and 2,000 new homes,
• Up to 10,000 jobs,
• New trail and community spaces,
• A new bridge across the railway tracks, 
• High-class bus stations and train station,
• And new green and public spaces.

The consultation website notes that the proposed changes are to ensure the station is “fit for the next 100 years”, and that “the maximum possible benefits are secured for local residents”.

The total cost of redeveloping the station and the surrounding area is estimated to “be anywhere from £300 million up to and beyond £1 billion”, with the whole process to take at least 10 years.

Speaking to LondonWorld, Martin Tedder, the project’s lead working as a joint employee at both LLDC and Newham Council, said a further consultation focussing on the improvements proposed for the station specifically is expected to be launched in the next 18-24 months.

What happens now?

As part of the consultation in October, a timeline was published stating that a business case was due to be submitted to the Government in early 2023.

Mr Tedder confirmed this is due to be done “any day now”, with the planning application expected to be filed with Newham Council in the next three to four years.

At a London Assembly Plenary meeting on June 8, Assembly Members (AM) unanimously backed the “anticipated” submission of the business case, with Lib Dem AM Caroline Pidgeon describing the redevelopment as “vital” to support the growth of the area.