First platforms for Britain’s new high speed railway installed at Old Oak Common
HS2 has revealed the first section of platform to be installed for Britain’s new high-speed railway.
In the underground box at HS2’s Old Oak Common station, engineers have begun installing the platform slabs which passengers will use when boarding or alighting high-speed trains in the future.
Six platforms are being built at the super-hub station in West London for high-speed services.
Each will be served by HS2’s fleet of 400-metre trains.
These are being built in advance of a further eight surface-level platforms for Great Western Mainline, Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express services.
All six high-speed platforms are being installed at the same time, with construction taking place from either end of the station box. They are laid out as three ‘island’ style blocks.
The platforms are the first to be unveiled anywhere on Britain’s new high-speed railway and give a glimpse of what future passengers can expect when services begin running.
To construct the platforms, 1.59m high walls, known as invert walls, have been poured.
1,960 pre-cast concrete slabs, measuring up to 4m by 2m, are then lifted into place on top. The platforms have a void below, allowing for services, such as electricity, to be installed within.
The pre-cast concrete slabs are being made offsite by Explore Manufacturing in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, an example of how Britain’s manufacturing industry is building for the nation’s future.
The station is being constructed by HS2’s station construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYTRA (BBVS JV), which began permanent work after the transport secretary gave the thumbs up to the station in June 2021.
The structure of the huge 850m long underground station box at Old Oak Common was completed this year, including the 45,000 sq/m base slab.
Despite recent progress, HS2 is currently undergoing a fundamental reset led by Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd chief executive, to make sure the railway can be delivered efficiently and for the lowest feasible cost.
Huw Edwards, delivery director for stations and placemaking at HS2 Ltd, said: “The installation of the first passenger platforms represents a real step forward in taking HS2 from purely a construction project to the future of Britain’s railways.
“Whilst there is still much more to work to do, standing where passengers will alight HS2 services is a reminder of what this railway will achieve - creating connections between people and places, that will benefit generations to come.”
Steve O’Sullivan, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA project director at HS2 Old Oak Common station, said: “The installation of the first high-speed platforms at Old Oak Common marks a defining moment in the delivery of HS2.
“It’s a powerful symbol of progress, not just in terms of engineering, but also highlights the change in project focus from the current civil phase of the works to the building, fit-out and the Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health phase of the works.
“Our teams at BBVS are proud to be laying the foundations of what will become one of the UK’s most important interchange transport hubs.”
Later this year, HS2 will begin installation of the eight platforms that will be used by conventional rail services – the Great Western, Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express. When complete, the station will be one of the best connected in the UK, with the potential to reach over 100 stations in the UK and being the 42nd stop on the Elizabeth Line.
