Leading multi-disciplinary professional services consultancy WSP is proud to announce the opening of the new Bakerloo line ticket hall at Paddington Underground Station. This significant upgrade marks a milestone in enhancing passenger experience and accessibility for the London Underground network.
The redesigned ticket hall alleviates peak-hour congestion, optimises passenger flow, and reduces journey times. In addition, step-free access from street to platforms now ensures inclusivity for all passengers.
The project successfully maintained station operations throughout construction, including escalator use, while diverting a main sewer to reconfigure the ticket hall and managing access to the mainline Paddington Station entrance. Spatial constraints were navigated to position new stair and lift structures, resulting in a state-of-the-art ticket hall.
WSP provided comprehensive services in structural engineering, geotechnical analysis, pedestrian modelling, fire safety, MEP, telecommunications, systems integration, BIM, human factors, acoustics, sustainability, tunnel ventilation and Principal Designer, ensuring meticulous planning and execution at every stage. This collaborative effort with Sellar, Mace, and Scott Brownrigg ensured the project's successful delivery, despite its complexity.
The construction of the new Bakerloo line ticket hall, commissioned by Sellar, on behalf of owners Great Western Developments Ltd, and in collaboration with Mace, WSP and Scott Brownrigg has seamlessly integrated the station with the surrounding Paddington Square development, providing direct access to the Elizabeth line to establish Paddington Square as a key destination for business and leisure. This development introduces 440,000 sq. ft. (GIA) of modern office spaces and a curated selection of retail and dining options, creating a vibrant urban hub.
Andrew Woodward, Project Director at WSP, said: “We are thrilled to have played a key role in the opening of the new Bakerloo line ticket hall at the newly redesigned Paddington Square. This project not only enhances passenger experience but also sets a new standard for modern and efficient transport hubs in London."
Andrew Postings, Director and Head of Rail at Scott Brownrigg, noted: “The opening of the new significantly upgraded Bakerloo line ticket hall culminates over twelve years of providing design services to improve connectivity and accessibility. Combined with the wider Paddington Square development, we are delighted to have been able to facilitate a much improved and more inclusive journey to the millions of passengers who pass through London Underground’s Bakerloo line ticket hall every year. Being able to make people's lives better drives us in our work every day.”
Pat Fitzgerald, Commercial Director - Private Sector at Mace Construct, said: “With up to five million passenger journeys a day, the London Underground is a major contributor to our capital’s economic success. Improving access and speeding up journey times is an important factor, and the construction of this new, modern, larger hall with additional ticket gates, will provide much-needed step-free access to the Bakerloo line at Paddington to help keep the city moving.”
James Sellar, Chief executive at Sellar, noted: "The completion of the Bakerloo line ticket hall and the creation of a new gateway to London from Paddington Station is another major milestone for this ambitions project. Working closely with Network Rail and Transport for London we have jointly delivered step-free access and relieved major congestion at one of London’s busiest stations. The opening of Paddington Square’s new piazza, vibrant mix of retail and dining options and cutting-edge workspaces has shown what can be achieved when working in collaboration with partners. This development significantly enhances the infrastructure of the area, establishing Paddington as a key hub in London for both work and leisure.”
ENDS
