High Speed Two (HS2) has released its latest designs for the Old Oak Common complex in west London, which will be the interchange between the high-speed railway from London Euston to Birmingham and the North and Elizabeth line (Crossrail) services to Heathrow and central London.
The six 450-metre HS2 platforms, which will be built in a 1km long underground box, will connect with the adjoining conventional station at ground level via a shared overbridge. The latest station design also includes provision for future services to Wales and the west of England.
The two halves of the station will be linked by a light and airy concourse with a soaring roof that is inspired by the site’s industrial heritage. Designed by a team led by professional services consultant WSP and architect WilkinsonEyre, the station will accommodate an estimated 250,000 passengers every day.
A new railway depot nearby, which will service Elizabeth line trains, has replaced the old Great Western Railway depot that was demolished to clear the site of the new station.
The HS2 platforms will be accessed by escalators concealed under a new public park. This green space, which could include broad-leafed trees, water features and outdoor event spaces, will provide a new focal point for the growing community around the station as the UK’s largest regeneration project is set to transform this former railway and industrial area with 25,500 new homes and up to 65,000 local jobs.
HS2’s Old Oak Common project director Matthew Botelle said: “The arrival of HS2 has the potential to transform Old Oak Common, unlocking thousands of new jobs and homes around the UK’s best connected transport hub. Linking HS2 and Crossrail, our new station will be a landmark piece of architecture at the heart of the development, designed around the passenger to ensure seamless, accessible and stress-free travel.”
WSP project director Adrian Tooth added: “As well as being a catalyst for regeneration within the wider OPDC area, the new HS2 Old Oak Common station will become a landmark destination featuring an area of urban realm to the west of London. Our design responds to the station’s function, recognising that more than half of those using the station will interchange between the below ground HS2 and the Elizabeth Line. The station form takes inspiration from our Victorian railway heritage and the juxtaposition between the above and below ground railways.
“WSP has welcomed 21 new apprentices to the Old Oak Common station project, as part of our 240-strong project team. We are committed to boosting the skills of Britain’s next generation while delivering this transformative project.”
HS2 is currently working to clear the site and prepare the ground for the start of construction later this year. Material excavated during work on the tunnels will be removed by rail from the nearby former Willesden Euroterminal depot.
The construction contract for the underground box and station infrastructure – platforms, escalators etc – will be awarded shortly to one of four bidders:
- Balfour Beatty/VINCI Construction UK/Vinci Grand Projets/SYSTRA
- Mace/Dragados
- Bechtel
- BAM Nuttall/Ferrovial Agroman
The station systems design contract has already been awarded to Arcadis and the tunnels, from the station box eastwards to Euston and westwards to Ruislip, will be built by a Costain/Skanska/Strabag joint venture.
The community has been invited to comment on the designs, which will be on display during February 2019 at the Collective, Nash House on Old Oak Common lane and other local venues.
