Construction underway on new Euston station

CONTRACTORS for HS2 Ltd have started building work on the new high-speed station at London Euston.

Completion of demolition work on the redundant 1960s’ western ramp and canopy in April and May paved the way for the structural work to begin, with main station contractor Mace Dragados moving into the site during July.

At the peak of construction, around 3,000 people will be employed at Euston alone – 10% of the overall total.

11 platforms

The site will eventually become the southern terminus of HS2, with 11 new 400-metre platforms and a new concourse for high-speed trains due to open in 2033.

The western ramp formerly provided access to the long-closed Royal Mail parcel sorting depot located on a deck above the platforms.

At the opposite end of

Phase 1, three bidders have been short-listed for the £570million deal to build Birmingham’s Curzon Street terminal.

BAM Ferrovial, Laing O’Rourke and Mace Dragados will contest the two-stage design and build contract, with the winner expected to be announced in 2021.

Alongside up to nine high-speed trains per hour, passengers will also be able to access Midland Metro, which will run alongside and underneath the station.

Significant progress has already been made on site, including a major archaeological programme, which unearthed the world’s oldest railway roundhouse earlier this year.

Demolitions and ground investigations are preparing the site for construction, and utility diversions are set to begin in the summer.

A £300m contract to provide overhead catenary systems (OCS) for Phase 1 and Phase 2a has also been put out to tender by HS2 Ltd.

589 kilometres

The winner will be responsible for aspects of the design, plus manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning for 589 single-track kilometres of railway between London and Crewe, including 62 viaducts, 293 bridges and 15 tunnels.

HS2 has confirmed it will use the French V360 OCS design, licenced from SNCF Reseau (equivalent to Network Rail).

This is the first system in Europe to be certified for operation at up to 360kph.

A shortlist is expected to be announced in the summer, with the contract awarded in 2022.

Other contract opportunities unveiled in July were worth an estimated £498m, covering tunnel and lineside mechanical and electrical equipment across Phase 1 and 2a. This includes tunnel services within the shafts, tunnels and cross-passages and low voltage power services and distribution in the open route.

Legislation to build Phase 2a (Birmingham to Crewe) is currently in the House of Lords, with Royal Assent expected later this year.

All of the recent rail systems contract opportunities include provision for work on Phase 2a, with contracts expected to be signed once the legislation is in place.