News on HS2 in Old Oak

The construction of our West London interchange station, set to be the UK’s largest newly-built railway station, has reached a new milestone.

Station Construction Partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA joint venture (BBVS), took possession of the site, marking the start of the next phase of work at Old Oak Common, where a brand new 14 platform high-speed station will be built.

Our Enabling Works Contractor, Costain Skanska JV, have been clearing the site for over two years, making it ready for the new station to be built. BBVS were appointed our construction partner for Old Oak Common in September 2019 and have worked closely with us on the programme of works. When operational, the station will be used by up to an estimated 250,000 passengers each day and is set to become one of the busiest in the UK. It will provide connections with rail services through eight conventional train platforms, served by the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail), Heathrow Express and trains to Wales and the West of England.

Initial works will include piling for the foundations of the new station, while the team will work closely with WSP, responsible for the design development of the station, on some striking features, such as a sequence of interlocking curved roof forms. These are designed to enhance the open environment of the station and provide natural ventilation, minimising the need for long-term energy consumption. In May 2020, the station received planning approval based on the designs submitted to the local planning authority, Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC).

Work has already begun to appoint subcontractor, including for piling and diaphragm wall construction, while the contract for ground reduction at the site has been awarded to specialist subcontractor McGee. A total of £350m of work will be available over the next two years and opportunities will be advertised on the CompeteFor web portal by BBVS and their subcontractors. BBVS will employ a workforce of approximately 1,400 to support the construction of Old Oak Common Station. As well as providing over 250 apprenticeship positions, the joint venture is committed to attracting local candidates, of all ages and backgrounds.

The HS2 station will be a catalyst and gateway for Old Oak and Park Royal, one of the largest regeneration sites in the country. Plans to transform the area are being led by the OPDC and they project that the area around the new HS2 station will become a neighbourhood with the potential to create tens of thousands of homes and jobs.

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 .