The competition will provide architects, engineers and designers the chance to improve the travel experience for the millions of passengers who use Britain’s railway, and leave a lasting legacy on station design.

It asks designers to reimagine small to medium-sized stations – which make up 80% of all those on Britain’s railway – so they can better serve the needs of both passengers and their local communities.

The competition encourages entries which stimulate creativity and address the changing character of our society.

In developing proposals, entrants are encouraged to consider how future stations can be sustainable and deliver outstanding value, whilst considering the impact on the environment to achieve net zero emissions to leave a positive legacy for future generations.

Anthony Dewar, head of buildings and architecture at Network Rail, said: “Fostering creativity and developing an outward-looking, collaborative culture is a key priority for Network Rail, so I’m delighted we are hosting this competition, which gives designers a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on our railway and improve the journeys of millions of passengers through quality design.

“Our ambition is to raise the quality of design across the whole rail network as well as responding to the evolving role of infrastructure within communities.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming creative and forward-thinking designs which will help us better serve the communities and passengers who rely on our railway.”

Across Britain, there are more than 2,000 small-to-medium stations which vary greatly in terms of design quality and amenities. By improving the overall quality of stations, they can better serve their communities, whilst accommodating potential enhancements to the existing and future passenger experience through good design. Designs should be considered for the adaption of existing stations to better meet passenger requirements, or new-build stations to accommodate the projected increase in demand for rail travel.

The competition is open internationally to individuals and teams from both small and large organisations from the design, built environment and manufacturing industries.

On the judging panel will be:

Lucy Musgrave OBE, (founding director of Publica), Jonathan McDowell (director, Matter Architecture), Chris Wise (senior director, Expedition Engineering), Dinah Casson CBE (RDI designer), Victoria Lee (lead programme manager, Design Council), Paul Beaty-Pownall (managing director, BPR Architects Ltd), Sahar Fikouhi (founder, ARki), Anthony Dewar (professional head of buildings and architecture, Network Rail), Frank Anatole (principal architect, Network Rail) and Ian Grimes (principal engineer, Network Rail).

For further details visit www.ribacompetitions.com/reimaginingrailwaystations/.

The closing date for submission of design proposals is 2pm on September 15.