Network Rail in £4bn revamp plan

Major UK railway stations provide 'huge scope' for redevelopment

Network Rail has announced plans for a £4bn ($7bn) upgrade to railway stations across Britain.

The company said it planned to redevelop London's Euston, Victoria and Waterloo stations in partnership with companies from the private sector.

Network Rail, which is responsible for the UK's rail infrastructure, said that 50 larger regional stations were also in need of upgrade work.

Developers will be involved in the revamp of hundreds of smaller stations.

'Huge scope'

Many of Network Rail's main railway stations are situated in landmark sites in major cities.

The company said London's bustling Euston, Victoria and Waterloo stations provided "huge scope for development opportunities, whether retail, offices or even residential".

Network Rail has already announced plans for upgrades to King's Cross and Paddington stations, in London.

Chief executive John Armitt described plans to transform Network Rail's stations, many of which date back to the 19th century, as "ambitious".

"Stations are the shop window of the railway and are next in line for investment and modernisation," he said.