News on HS2 in Old Oak

Our main works construction partner, Skanska Costain STRABAG Railways Joint Venture (SCS Railways), has completed sheet piling works in Acton, enabling construction of the Victoria Road Crossover Box.

The Victoria Road Crossover Box, near to Old Oak Common, allows trains to switch tracks underground on their approach into the new superhub station. The installation of 200m of sheet piling was the final piece of enabling work before permanent works can begin, with the site team ensuring that vital utilities in the area, including a Thames Water Main and UK Power Network cables were unaffected.

3D model of the Victoria Road Crossover Box

The site is located to the west of where the new Old Oak Common station is being constructed. The huge underground box structure will house a crossover track mechanism that will allow trains to switch between tracks, up to a design speed of 62 mph, on the approach and descent from Old Oak Common station.

The box will be 130m in length and 24m deep, with 1.5m thick walls constructed by diaphragm piling method, with top and intermediate levels of reinforced concrete props. The base slab of the crossover box will be supported by 77 piles installed 20m into the ground below the slab level.

Key facts about the Victoria Road Crossover Box:

The site at Victoria Road is also currently being prepared to launch the Northolt Tunnel Boring Machines which will bore 3.4 miles north west, as part of the construction of HS2’s 8.4 mile Northolt Tunnel. It will also house the Victoria Road Ancillary Shaft which will provide ventilation and emergency access to the rail line during operation.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .