A planning application to upgrade London's that could boost the economy by £4.6 billion per year has been validated by the City of London. bold and collaborative vision will transform the London station that currently connects about 118 million people a year within London, East Anglia and the east of England.

The proposal would futureproof the station for years to come, allowing for more space and improves links across the rail network, , buses, cycling and pedestrian routes as well as allowing for a fully accessible gateway for customers across the London and further afield. Network Rail Chief executive Sir Andrew Haines said: "The station proposed in this application is absolutely what London needs. "An accessible, inclusive, world-class multi-modal transport gateway to the heart of London - designed to serve the city, all Londoners, and everyone who travels through it."

Annual passenger numbers are expected to grow by 35% and up to 158 million by 2041. These plans will ensure that the station is ready to accommodate more than 200 million people for decades to come.

The planning application for an integrated station has received the support of TfL and the approach is intended to serve as a model for how infrastructure projects across the London can be managed going forward

Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner, TfL added: "Network Rail's vision for the station gives us an opportunity to work together to provide the excellent levels of customer satisfaction we want everyone to experience as they travel across our networks.

"We welcome that these plans include a comprehensive step-free solution for those using the Underground. At the heart of these plans is an unshakeable commitment to safety, top-tier performance, and delivering a transport system for London that is not only efficient, but environmentally sustainable."

Commuters expectations are no longer being met by Liverpool Street station and for some, the lack of step-free access and basic facilities makes travel difficult.

The station often experiences heavy congestion at busy times, whether that be at ticket barriers, in the concourses,or moving to the underground and street level, yet since the last major upgrade, passenger numbers have tripled.

As well as addressing these issues, the plan will help to boost long-term economic growth across the City of London.

Network Rail have released figures that demomstrate the potential uplift. It said the transformation of London Liverpool Street station could enhance the City of London economy by up to £4.6 billion per year.