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Wednesday 28 Oct 2026

London Liverpool Street lift refurbishment to improve reliability

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

A major refurbishment of the passenger lift at London Liverpool Street is set to start on Sunday 22 November to help maintain reliable step-free access for passengers over the years to come.

The lift connects the station’s main concourse to the upper level and the Elizabeth line and eastbound Tube platforms serving the Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines. Having last undergone significant work nearly two decades ago, the lift will now get a full overhaul which includes:

• Replacing or refurbishing all hydraulics and control systems
• Stripping back and cleaning the lift shaft
• Installing new lighting and flooring in the lift car
• Fitting new customer control panels

In addition, a remote condition monitoring system will be installed to help engineers fix any potential faults before they develop into more serious problems.

The work will be carried out on Liverpool Street mainline station’s only passenger lift, which is very heavily used and has previously been affected by faults that have regularly put it out of service. Once complete, the refurbishment will boost the reliability of the lift and take it to the end of its expected lifespan.

The proposed major redevelopment of the station includes plans for much-needed accessibility and capacity improvements, such as eight new lifts and an increase in escalators from four to ten.

While the refurbishment work is taking place, the lift will be unavailable for use. Step-free alternative routes using other lifts will be in place, although these may involve a longer journey. Maps and signage will be displayed inside the station to help customers get around. Passengers can also choose to use the easier step-free interchange at Stratford when travelling to and from London.

The Great Eastern Railway War Memorial on the upper level will be fully protected during the refurbishment works, and its appearance will be unaffected following completion.

After refurbishment, the lift is expected to reopen in mid-February 2027. This project is being carried out on behalf of Network Rail Anglia, which is part of GBR Anglia alongside c2c and Greater Anglia. The three organisations have come together under a single unified structure on the journey to Great British Railways, enabling faster and more joined up decision-making.

Sara Ashmore Barrios, Liverpool Street Station Manager working as part of GBR Anglia, said: “This is vital work to improve the reliability of our only passenger lift and keep it operating for years to come, ahead of the major accessibility improvements proposed as part of the station’s redevelopment.

“We’re really sorry for the disruption this will cause to passengers who rely on the lift. Alternative options will be in place and our team will be on hand to help. We want everyone to be able to travel with confidence on our rail network, both now and for the years to come.”

Mark Evers, TfL's lead on Customer Insight, Strategy and Experience, said: “We understand that the essential refurbishment of the lift at Liverpool Street mainline station will impact London Underground and Elizabeth line customers, and we apologise for the disruption this will cause. Station staff are on hand to support customers and can help to plan a step-free journey and provide assistance through the station and onto our services.

“We encourage customers to check before they travel, use TfL’s Journey Planner or the free TfL Go app to plan alternative step-free routes, and allow extra time to complete their journeys.”

Step-free interchange at Stratford

To avoid Liverpool Street while the lift works are taking place and choose an easier step-free route, passengers can change between mainline trains, the Elizabeth line and the Central line at Stratford.

Alternative options at Liverpool Street while the lift is being refurbished

Step-free routes from the main concourse at Liverpool Street:

• To exit the station – use the service lift at the back of platform 10 (see video) or the lifts next to Pret A Manger in the Broadgate shopping centre (see video)
• To get to the Elizabeth line and eastbound Circle and Hammersmith & City lines – use the lifts next to Pret A Manger in the Broadgate shopping centre to access the Broadgate Elizabeth line entrance (see video)

Step-free routes to the main concourse at Liverpool Street:

• From outside the station – use the service lift on the upper-level (see video) or use the lifts next to Kiehl’s in the Broadgate shopping centre (see video)
• From the Elizabeth line and eastbound Circle and Hammersmith & City lines – use the Broadgate exit and then take the lifts next to Kiehl’s in the Broadgate shopping centre (see video)

Step-free route from outside the station to the Elizabeth line and eastbound Circle and Hammersmith & City lines:

• Use the Broadgate entrance (see video)

Passenger Assist

Network Rail will continue to provide Passenger Assist services while the works take place.

Passengers interchanging with the Elizabeth line or London Underground will be helped to a handover point at the top of the Elizabeth line lifts at the Broadgate entrance, where a Transport for London colleague will continue to provide assistance.

Passengers are advised that this transfer will take longer than usual and to allow at least 30 minutes additional transfer time if they are connecting with other services.