HS2 Euston - Development, design and construction news (not speculation, please)

[The Planner]

Which part of the current Euston are you describing here?

The high numbered platforms, it was what used to be called the parcels deck above the platforms.

 

[Sonik]

This document (albeit a little dated) shows the original Euston design and phasing

https://www.parliament.uk/globalass...High-Speed-Rail/HOL-10018-Euston-Overview.pdf

Note in particular pages 35-37, showing the extent of the LU upgrade (which is arguably needed regardless of HS2 options) well within the footprint of the classic station.

 

[InTheEastMids]

The upper deck over the north end of the train shed (not open to the public)

Take a look on google maps it's quite obvious

The high numbered platforms, it was what used to be called the parcels deck above the platforms.

Based on Google Earth's historic imagery, the bulk of this work was done between June 2022 and November 2023. Does not look to have had much activity since then (latest image seems to be March 2025).

 

[Russel]

The high numbered platforms, it was what used to be called the parcels deck above the platforms.

The upper deck over the north end of the train shed (not open to the public)

Take a look on google maps it's quite obvious

Ah yeah, spotted it straight away on Google Maps!

What was the reason behind removing only a part of it, rather than all?

 

[Fazaar1889]

Ah yeah, spotted it straight away on Google Maps!

What was the reason behind removing only a part of it, rather than all?

Likely just a work in progress

 

[Nottingham59]

Likely just a work in progress

Perhaps Mr Sunak in 2023 had something to do with the work not progressing

 

[hwl]

Ah yeah, spotted it straight away on Google Maps!

What was the reason behind removing only a part of it, rather than all?

Likely just a work in progress

Perhaps Mr Sunak in 2023 had something to do with the work not progressing

The previous plan (currently paused) was to demolish some more of the west side of the station to enable a bigger phase 1 build of the HS2 station (~13-15m at the southern end).
The Parcel Deck roof has been stripped back roughly to the centreline of the P14-P15 island where major support at the platform level below is.


The plan was to:
1) lift the "Middle Siding 2" track, very slightly realign the "Middle Siding 1" track (including approach in throat), build a new temporary platform (new 16) beside "Middle Siding 1" on the current "Middle siding 2" track alignment. This needs some more parcel deck removal due to where the supports are at the country end (hence the cutting back of the parcel deck roof)
2) which enables ripping out the existing P16 track and adjacent ultra wide P16 (with ramp from the parcel deck above) to give HS2 a wider work site.

I'm not sure if any HS2 siding would have been retained.

It is worth noting that the previous HS2 station design involved digging out to the equivalent of 4 floors below the current level and is unlikely to change in the new design.


There aren't many HS2 Euston area drone videos:
This is the most recent I could find quickly:

(I sure there have been more recent ones but search isn't finding them)

One overall HS2 and other infrastructure programme issue is that HMT's total annual capex limit is being hit across all sectors not just transport hence prioritising of some part of HS2 build (even with the core OOC - Birmingham station approaches) so the build will be longer overall.
So while it would make sense to be getting on with Delta Jn - northwards or OOC site prep (given the volumes to be removed from digging out) this will wait till a significant number of other structures north of the Chiltern Tunnel complete (the other useful effect is that requirement for civils staff and non specialised equipment is smoothed out).
Not digging out at Euston is actually probably quite useful in the short term will they start getting on with the Hampstead Road utility diversions (there will also be some buried tram track removal fun)

 

[erikvd28]

When I was in Euston last month I saw workers at the HS2 works there

 

[hwl]

When I was in Euston last month I saw workers at the HS2 works there

That was the more recent video I was looking for.

Yes utilities diversion and other slow burning preparation works are still very much is progress on the south part of the site, Granby Road Bridge and further north (not part of the "station" area) needs to be ready for the arrival of the TBM from OOC presumably at some point in late 2027 or early 2028.
The HS2 track level will be significantly below the current concrete ground surface level.

 

[Class 170101]

I think the most effective way to do it would be to start removing the building in stages, based on whatever the functional unit of the structure is. You'd probably only have to close 2-4 platforms at a time.

Already lost a couple of platforms. I don't think Euston can afford to lose anymore and keep the current service working.

I suppose you could just close the station, do a controlled implosion and then throw everyone possible at it to clear the rubble off the platforms and get temporary overhead wiring back up - but that would likely take weeks from closure to even partial reopening.

Christmas / New Year period only depending how it falls in relation to the weekends at the beginning and end of the period, the best you will get will be 15 days without causing mass disruption I reckon.

 

[The Planner]

Already lost a couple of platforms. I don't think Euston can afford to lose anymore and keep the current service working.


Christmas / New Year period only depending how it falls in relation to the weekends at the beginning and end of the period, the best you will get will be 15 days without causing mass disruption I reckon.

You would never get a 15 day complete closure at Euston. Not even Paddington with Euston diversions would ever get that long. It would be done half station at a time.

 

[Class 170101]

You would never get a 15 day complete closure at Euston. Not even Paddington with Euston diversions would ever get that long. It would be done half station at a time.

Didn't Paddington have some long closures over the Christmas holiday period with Waterloo and Marylebone diversions during Crossrail construction?

In any event I think its is extremely unlikely to get 15 days at Euston at Christmas / New Year and impossible the rest of the year

 

[hwl]

Didn't Paddington have some long closures over the Christmas holiday period with Waterloo and Marylebone diversions during Crossrail construction?

In any event I think its is extremely unlikely to get 15 days at Euston at Christmas / New Year and impossible the rest of the year

It should be possible to remove the parcel deck roof (at the country end) with out any closures. In terms of functional units of construction for minimum closure level it is effectively 2 tracks but would need to two platforms islands on either side to be closed so effectively 4track/platforms at once, potentially more.
London Bridge was done as mostly a series of 4-9 day closures, the ~9day which might be replicateable here.

THe big problems is some platforms are much more useful/usable at Euston than others.

 

[Geogregor]

Latest shots from around Euston:

What is this "blue shed" on top of the Granby Terrace bridge? Looks like maybe something to hold utilities temporarily rerouted from Hampstead Road.

 

[hwl]

Latest shots from around Euston:

What is this "blue shed" on top of the Granby Terrace bridge? Looks like maybe something to hold utilities temporarily rerouted from Hampstead Road.

Correct. The Hampstead Road is a major utilities corridor (and plenty of tram rail still buried under the tarmac too).

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Ian Visits has picked up an item that the Crown Estate has taken a 50% stake in the development company setup to exploit the oversite of HS2 Euston station. That in itself isn't going to get the station built but perhaps demonstrates that the government is keen to push this forward.

https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/article...-euston-station-oversite-redevelopment-81268/

Currently, the property company, Lendlease, is the government’s Master Development Partner for Euston and is responsible for developing a master plan for the area above and around the stations. Lendlease has now set up a 50/50 joint venture with the Crown Estate for several of its projects, including the HS2 Euston station redevelopment.

Technically the King owns the Crown Estate but reality is its an independent property investor whose profits go to the government.

 

[Fazaar1889]

Ian Visits has picked up an item that the Crown Estate has taken a 50% stake in the development company setup to exploit the oversite of HS2 Euston station. That in itself isn't going to get the station built but perhaps demonstrates that the government is keen to push this forward.

https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/article...-euston-station-oversite-redevelopment-81268/



Technically the King owns the Crown Estate but reality is its an independent property investor whose profits go to the government.

I mean...a win is a win. Progress is progress. I wonder when the final station design will be released.

 

[erikvd28]

And here's another video with commentary:

 

[Fazaar1889]

Allies and Morrison takes over on Crown Estate/Lendlease’s Euston project

Allies and Morrison has been brought in to draw up a new masterplan for the 24 hectare redevelopment above and around London’s Euston station

www.architectsjournal.co.uk

Is this basically another redesign?

 

[InTheEastMids]

A further contract for design work at Euston has been awarded to RSHP architects. This is separate snipe to the Allies and Morrison work.

RSHP has been separately appointed to work on its own Euston Station Campus vision for the Euston Partnership

This campus plan aims to mesh together these three elements, and according to an HS2 spokesperson, ‘will comprise the new HS2 station, an upgraded Network Rail station and enhancements to the London Underground station and local transport facilities along with a significant level of development’.

Exclusive: RSHP is working on Euston station

The AJ can reveal that RSHP is working on ‘affordable, integrated’ plans for the future redevelopment of Euston station

www.architectsjournal.co.uk

 

[HSTEd]

So it seems there is still no acceptable design for the station complex.

Do we have a proposed reopening date for the station?

 

[erikvd28]

Or if it's still 6 platforms..

 

[hwl]

Or if it's still 6 platforms..

Part of the reason for the redesign is not being 6 platforms...

 

[Class 170101]

You mean 10/11 Platforms or some other silly number?

Or even something to do with oversite development?

 

[chris2]

Part of the reason for the redesign is not being 6 platforms...

Has that been said officially somewhere?

 

[Recessio]

Ian Visits has picked up an item that the Crown Estate has taken a 50% stake in the development company setup to exploit the oversite of HS2 Euston station. That in itself isn't going to get the station built but perhaps demonstrates that the government is keen to push this forward.

https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/article...-euston-station-oversite-redevelopment-81268/



Technically the King owns the Crown Estate but reality is its an independent property investor whose profits go to the government.

The Crown Estate also already own a lot of land in the estates between the Euston lines and Regents Park, so it doesn't surprise me they're taking an interest in the area.

 

[BRX]

It looks like both of these recent appointments are for masterplanning of the bits that *aren't* the HS2 station itself.

So neither seem to involve redesign (or any design) of the station, which remains as a black box with a question mark on it.

 

[hwl]

It looks like both of these recent appointments are for masterplanning of the bits that *aren't* the HS2 station itself.

So neither seem to involve redesign (or any design) of the station, which remains as a black box with a question mark on it.

They are all incredibly linked to the station.

The HS2 station redesign started in circa last September.

In terms of maximising the oversite potential including of the HS2 station it was realised that the size of the slab over the total station area needed to be maximised. A micro 6 platform HS2 station is fairly useless and much of the usable over site building height is limited by protected site lines in places hence there needs to be a coherent all Euston station redevelopment to get any decent about of revenue from over site development (look at Lord H.'s comments over the last year carefully). What happens outside the immediate station station area also need to be looked at to maximise the station area potential (as well as the direct opportunities for those areas).

One of the key messages is that TfL are viewed as being responsible for (funding) any linkages to Euston Square though this may change if partly covered by broader master plans.

Previously the concept of well though out linkages to the surrounding area was not there.