First structural work completed at Euston in preparation for HS2

Demolition of the western ramp and canopy at London Euston station is now complete, paving the way for construction of the new HS2 Euston station.

The western ramp had been in place since the modernisation of Euston in the 1960s as part of the electrification of the West Coast main line. It was used to access the parcel deck on the first floor of the station. The area was once used as a Royal Mail parcel sorting depot, taking parcels from the trains on three dedicated platforms for parcel freight.

The ramp allowed vehicle access to the upper deck, but the parcel depot was taken out of use when post began being transported on road due to increased passenger demand. Its removal took 13 weeks, though work on site was paused on 23 March due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic but restarted on 16 April once government-approved safe working practices were in place. The work was carried out by Network Rail, HS2 and its contractor Skanska.

Patrick Cawley is a director of On Network Works, the collaboration between HS2 and Network Rail. He said: “The completion of this work is of major significance to the HS2 project and marks the first piece of structural work to Euston station in order for the new high-speed station to be built. It has been an important and successful piece of collaborative work between the teams at HS2, Network Rail and Skanska.

“HS2 will transform the way we travel in the UK, helping to improve the current train network and providing new low carbon journeys and improving air quality for future generations.”

Patrick Vallely, who recently joined On Network Works as senior programme manager at Euston station, added: “I’m excited to be a part of the joint NR , HS2 and Skanska team that through great collaboration , effort and use of joint skills successfully dismantled the west ramp and canopy to meet the original completion date – despite a necessary pause in works for 3-4 weeks to implement essential Covid-19 safety measures.”

In the long term, the arrival of HS2 will also create the opportunity for up to 19,000 new jobs and 1,700 homes as part of a wider masterplan for Euston as well as new public spaces, and better access to the London Underground.

Once complete, the station, could, for the first time, include a new entrance facing north towards Camden Town and west towards Hampstead Road and the shops and restaurants of Drummond Street.