Network Rail’s plans to redevelop Liverpool Street station have taken a major step forward as they have formally filed the planning application to seek permission for the works.

The station would see two staggered towers built above the main ticket hall area, leaving the historic train shed untouched, and the passenger concourse would be revamped to add more escalators and lifts. The above site development will fund the station upgrades, which will also require rebuilding the concourse area to provide structural support for the offices above it.

It’s a controversial scheme, albeit nothing like as controversial as the original “slab” that was planned by a private developer, which provoked widespread dislike from almost everyone.

Network Rail says that under the revised scheme, the station would get eight new lifts and that both the Network Rail and the London Underground platforms would be fully accessible. There would also be 10 escalators instead of the current four that are in use.

The concourse area would be increased to reduce overcrowding, and more ticket barriers to reduce platform crowding issues. More toilets would also be provided on both levels in the concourse.

Robin Dobson, Group Property Director for Network Rail Property said: “Following extensive consultation and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, our plans put passengers first whilst respecting and retaining the station’s Victorian features, including the iconic trainshed and the Great Eastern Hotel.”

The planning application has been sent to the City of London and will be validated in a week or two, so you’ll need to wait until the vast pile of planning documents are public before specific questions can be answered.