Giant HS2 Station Box Begins Construction

Specialists have begun work to deliver a reinforced concrete structure that will form the frame and base for the HS2 station box at Old Oak Common.

Once complete, Old Oak Common station is set to be the best connected and largest new railway station ever built in the UK in a single stage, becoming one of the country’s most vital transport super hubs.

The main construction of the 850m-long reinforced concrete station box, which will form the frame and the base for the HS2 station building, began on 27 October.

It will see excavation 20m below ground level removing 690,000 cubic metres of clay. Following this, 32,000 tonnes of steel will be placed and 190,000m3 of reinforced concrete poured.

"Top Down"

The “top down” excavation will allow the ground floor slab to be constructed initially with a series of mole holes allowing access for the large excavators to remove the earth from within.

The box at the east of the site allows the Tunnel boring machines (TBM) to be launched towards Euston. The west of the site is where the spray concrete lined tunnel between Old Oak Common and the Victoria Road Crossover box finishes.

Work to build the station will provide 2,300 jobs (with specialists Expanded providing 500 of those, including 10 apprentices) and act as a catalyst for the UK’s largest regeneration project in the Old Oak and Park Royal area.

Permanent construction for the station began in June 2021, as the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, gave the thumbs up to signal the start of works.

HS2’s Deputy Project Client for Old Oak Common Station, Rob Avery, said: “The start of work on the gigantic station box structure is a key milestone for the team at Old Oak Common. Work is progressing well on site and we are pleased that Expanded have now joined us on site as the programme continues to move forward.”

High Speed

Designs for the station show that the six high-speed platforms will be situated underground with an integrated connection to the adjoining conventional station by a split-level public concourse and dramatic conventional rail overbridge to provide seamless interchange.

These are unified by a vaulted roof inspired by the site’s industrial heritage.

Old Oak Common will provide high-speed rail services to the Midlands, Scotland and the North and trains to central London and Heathrow and Wales and the West of England.

HS2’s Deputy Project Client for Old Oak Common Station, Rob Avery, said:

“The start of work on the gigantic station box structure is a key milestone for the team at Old Oak Common. Work is progressing well on site and we are pleased that Expanded have now joined us on site as the programme continues to move forward.”