Building Better Train Stations: Why Choose Timber Over Steel for London’s Busiest Routes

We were commissioned by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure for Transport for London (TfL) for two separate projects. All our projects matter to us, but working on these large-scale infrastructure jobs brings something extra. When you’re helping to create spaces that millions of people will use every year, you want to get it right.

These two stations are part of Transport for London’s broader strategic approach to incorporating more timber into their projects. Colindale was actually conceived first, but the timber elements of Surrey Quays ended up being completed ahead of it – both are part of TfL’s recognition that timber creates calmer, more welcoming environments that can genuinely reduce commuter stress levels.

By the numbers, we’re talking about serious footfall here. Surrey Quays sees nearly five million entries and exits annually (that puts it in the UK’s top 100 busiest stations), while Colindale handles over seven million passenger trips a year. These aren’t quiet suburban stops – they’re proper busy.

Colindale Tube Station – artists impression

Why timber for train stations?

You might wonder why timber would be used for something as demanding as a train station. It’s a fair question – after all, most people expect to see steel and concrete in transport infrastructure.

However, here’s the thing: glulam and CLT aren’t just beautiful materials (though they are indeed beautiful). They’re seriously practical too.

For Surrey Quays, we were commissioned to complete stage 5 design for a new entrance to Platform 2 with a distinctive two-stepped roof. We used European Larch glulam beams in a lattice pattern on the upper roof and a run of straight beams on the lower roof, with European Spruce CLT decking on both. The result? A space that actually feels welcoming rather than industrial.

At Colindale, we created something even more ambitious – six stunning 25-metre span arches for the new ticket hall, plus a northern canopy. All using a combination of European Larch and Spruce glulam with CLT panels.

Surrey Quays Station – artists impression

The “why glulam” question.

We get this question a lot: “Why go to all this trouble when steel and concrete would be quicker?”

It’s a good question, and the answer says everything about what we’re about.

First, there’s the passenger experience. When you’re rushing to catch a train, wouldn’t you rather be in a space that feels warm and welcoming, rather than cold and industrial? The timber creates this incredible sense of openness and space that makes traveling nicer.

Then there’s the sustainability angle. In total, across both projects, we installed 110m³ of CLT and 120m³ of glulam, which is approximately 126 tonnes of timber. The embodied carbon footprint? 63.25 tonnes. To put that in perspective, it’s equivalent to taking 240 cars off the road each year.

But honestly? We also think these stations will make people proud of where they live. Surrey Quays and Colindale are both growing areas with thousands of new homes being built. These stations will be many people’s first impression of their local transport network – shouldn’t that be something special?

The reality of building in busy places

Now, let’s talk about the practical stuff, because building train stations isn’t like building houses.

Logistics are everything. At both stations, we had to apply fire retardant treatment (Nord Treat NT Deco) to all the timber, which needs very controlled conditions. So we completely emptied our bottom shed for the spraying operation. Just needed a bit of planning!

Timing is critical. At Colindale, all the heavy lifting had to happen between 1:30 and 4:30 AM to minimise noise and disruption – and this is still ongoing work. Whether you call that very early morning or very late night, the fact is you need precision and planning when you absolutely cannot afford to wake the neighbours. It’s the only way to work around live transport infrastructure.

Zero tolerance for error. The Surrey Quays lattice roof uses traditional tenon and mortise joints with zero tolerance – there’s no room for “we’ll adjust it on site.” We dry-fitted the entire lattice structure at our factory before delivery. We had a 52 hour non-stop window for installation of a job that we would normally take 2 weeks over to coincide with the station and line being closed. Everything had to fit perfectly.

What Made These Projects Special

The standout feature at Colindale has to be the bespoke bullnose edge detail we created for three sides of the roof. This solid timber piece is curved in all three planes and required hand-carved gutter details. Getting the mitred corners to align during installation was genuinely challenging – it represents some of the finest contemporary timber craftsmanship we’ve done.

We also installed moisture sensors throughout both projects because looking after timber properly means monitoring it properly. These aren’t “fit and forget” structures – they’re investments that need the right care.

Looking Forward

These projects show what’s possible when you look beyond the obvious solutions. Yes, steel and concrete might have been quicker and cheaper upfront. However, when you factor in the passenger experience, environmental impact, and the long-term pride these stations will bring to their communities, timber makes perfect sense.

We’re seeing more and more infrastructure projects recognising this. Transport for London’s commitment to net-zero targets aligns perfectly with what timber construction offers – genuine sustainability without compromising on performance or aesthetics.

Thinking about timber for your own project? Get in touch – we’d love to show you what’s possible.