How London's major station redevelopments can support growth, investment and regeneration

London’s four major station redevelopment proposals were the focus of a BusinessLDN lunch roundtable at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool today. Kindly sponsored by Arcadis, the discussion brought together senior business leaders, policymakers and public sector stakeholders to explore how Euston, Liverpool Street, Victoria and Waterloo can help drive growth, investment and regeneration across the capital.

Opening the event, Peter Hogg, UK & Ireland Country Director at Arcadis, welcomed guests and highlighted the significant opportunities presented by the redevelopment of some of London’s most strategically important transport hubs.

BusinessLDN’s Chief Executive, John Dickie, reflected on the wider benefits these projects could unlock, discussing how London can maximise the value generated through major station regeneration and how lessons learned in the capital could help inform similar schemes elsewhere in the UK.

We were delighted to be joined by Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, who outlined why these projects are so important to the Greater London Authority’s ambitions for economic growth. Reflecting on the success of the Elizabeth Line, Howard noted the importance of drawing on the lessons of previous major infrastructure programmes as London looks to take forward the next generation of transformational projects. He highlighted the opportunities ahead, particularly at Euston, where progress in recent years has strengthened confidence about the scale of what could be achieved.

Much of the conversation focused on the need to look beyond individual projects. While each station redevelopment has its own objectives, partners and delivery challenges, there was strong support for a more joined-up approach across the four schemes, sharing knowledge, identifying efficiencies and maximising their collective impact.

Attendees also stressed that these projects are about far more than railway infrastructure. Done well, station regeneration can support new commercial space, boost retail activity, create jobs and support wider prosperity, while helping to shape attractive and well-connected places for businesses, residents and visitors.

The discussion touched on a number of factors that will be critical to the success of these schemes.

Early planning and alignment were seen as critical to maximising the benefits of regeneration. Bringing together stakeholders, interests and objectives from the outset can help avoid unnecessary complexity and generate greater value.

There was also widespread recognition of the value of sharing learning across projects. The experience of delivering the Elizabeth Line demonstrates what can be achieved through long-term collaboration and provides useful insights for future regeneration programmes.

Guests highlighted the importance of strong city-wide coordination, underpinned by consistent leadership, local knowledge and effective partnerships. There was a clear sense that engaging stakeholders across the city and fostering collaboration between organisations would help maximise the benefits of each redevelopment.

The conversation also underscored the need for a systems approach. Major stations do not operate in isolation, and redevelopment plans should be considered alongside the wider transport network, including links to London’s airports and other key transport hubs. Strategic frameworks such as the London Plan have an important role to play in supporting this joined-up thinking.

The opportunity extends well beyond improved transport infrastructure. By attracting investment, accelerating regeneration and creating jobs and economic opportunity, these projects could make a significant contribution to London’s future growth while generating benefits across the wider UK economy.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and shared their insights. There was a clear sense around the table that closer collaboration, stronger coordination and a willingness to learn from one another can help maximise the impact of these transformative projects.