HS2 Old Oak Common station progress

There are more than 1,900 people now working on HS2’s super-hub station at Old Oak Common every day, with the team committed to achieving emission-free construction practices.

That’s the message from Huw Edwards, the organisation’s project client director, as work on the station has accelerated during 2022 and the progress made on site showcased in a new video.

Old Oak Common will be the largest station ever constructed in a single stage in the UK. When operational, it will handle around 250,000 passengers every day.

Excavation works in the HS2 station box, where the platforms for the new high speed trains will be constructed, have been rapidly progressing with over 70,000m3 of London Clay already removed. The box is being excavated using a top-down construction method which allows the ground floor slab to be poured before large excavators are used to remove earth from underneath. The team has also completed the installation of 160 concrete piles in the HS2 station box this year – each extending 57 metres underground.

Utilities diversions have also progressed well on site this year, with nine utilities tunnels completed using mini tunnel boring machines (TBMs) under the operational Great Western Mainline. 19 utilities services will be diverted through these new corridors.

Last month, a network of conveyors began operating from HS2 sites in West London, including one from Old Oak Common station. One million cubic metres of spoil will be taken from the station works at Old Oak Common to HS2’s London Logistics Hub at the old Willesden Euro Terminal site near Willesden Junction. From there it will be transported by rail to sites across the country for beneficial reuse. As part of HS2’s commitment to minimise the impact of construction on local communities and reduce carbon emissions during construction, the conveyor will eliminate the need for hundreds of thousands of lorry movements from Old Oak Common.

In 2023, permanent works will begin on the area where the conventional rail platforms will be located. Eight platforms at the 14-platform station will be served by Great Western Mainline trains and Elizabeth Line trains, making Old Oak Common one of the busiest transport interchanges when operational.

Huw Edwards, HS2’s Project Client Director for Old Oak Common station, said: “In 2022 we have made huge progress on the construction of HS2’s Old Oak Common station. With over 1,900 people now working on site every day, and the team committed to achieving emission-free construction practices, we are making real headway with our delivery of the most transformative transport regeneration project ever in the UK.”

Photo and video credit: HS2 Ltd

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