Network Rail has announced it has been given £2 million in funding to develop plans to relieve congestion at Stratford station, after demand at the station increased after the 2012 Olympics, despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Before the pandemic, approximately 42 million people used Stratford station as part of their journey during the time period 2019 to 2020.

This means that Stratford is the busiest non-terminal station in London with Birmingham New Street station being an equivalent example of the number of passengers using the station, however, Stratford only has one-fifth of the space in which to cope with the mass of customers.

At peak times, the station can become extremely busy and needs a congestion management system in place, which includes one-way systems through the station and onto platforms in order to keep passengers safe.

The £2 million funding will allow Network Rail to develop an Outline Business Case which can then be submitted to the DfT during 2022 and will seek approval and funding to allow the work to go ahead.

The Outline Business Case could see plans for further improvements to provide more space on specific platforms and also at entrances giving more space to circulate, the changes could also see improved information screens and way-finding put in place.

The work, if approved may take place in stages with passengers starting to see the first stage of the work taking place from late 2022 and 2024, with the possibility of further work going ahead for the next 5 years.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia said: ‘I’m delighted that we have been provided with the funding for the next stage of development to help relieve congestion at this important station in East London. I appreciate it can be challenging to navigate around the station during busy times which is why we are developing plans to help provide more space, improve passenger circulation and maintain safety at the station.’