HS2 proposal to redefine London Euston station

Plans to bring high speed rail to London Euston and reinstate the station’s prominence are to be submitted to Parliament next week.

Construction of Euston’s 11 new platforms, built to accommodate HS2, will be staggered across two separate phases in a bid to minimise disruption to the station’s passengers. If approved, high speed rail services from London to the Midlands, the North and Scotland will one day be a reality.

The development, conceived by HS2 Ltd, is also envisaged as a catalyst with the potential to re-establish Euston station as a thriving transport and community hub. This regenerative aspect, so crucial to HS2 Ltd’s aspirations for the station, has been informed by the Organisation’s many discussions with rail industry partners.

Existing facilities, including Euston station’s London Underground, are to be significantly enhanced also, with passengers set to benefit from greater space and improved connections to services throughout.

Simon Kirby, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive, said: “These firm proposals will allow Euston to fulfil its potential.

“It’s time for Euston to change. Not just if it is to fulfil its historic role as the gateway between London and much of the rest of the country, but also if it’s to become a much bigger and fully accessible part of its own community.

“Just a stone’s throw away, we have seen how the stations at King’s Cross and St Pancras have transformed the surrounding areas into vibrant and thriving locations.

“We must replicate and build on that commercial and architectural success. Now is the time for Euston to catch up with its neighbours to meet the requirements of the 21st century and beyond.”

Rupert Walker, Euston Development Director for HS2 Ltd and Network Rail, said: “Euston needs to become a station that both the nation and local community can be proud of – and share. It will be the best connected station in London; a crossroads between the north and the south, quickly and easily accessible from all parts of the capital and, with HS2, the country.

“This will take time and inevitably cause disruption to both the community and commuters as we work to bring about change but at each stage we will do our best to explain what we are doing, and why, as well as listening to ideas about what the new Euston should look and feel like.

“We will also set out at each stage how we will try to minimise the impact of the work and attempt to respond to concerns from both the community and passengers, learning from experiences on other major projects.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “HS2 offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to revolutionise not just Euston station but a whole area at the heart of London. The new station will be the catalyst for wider redevelopment and so it is right that we are ambitious in our plans to dramatically improve the design, capacity and technology used.

“The plans outlined today are essential for the local community, but they also set out a vital piece of infrastructure that will benefit the whole nation – both by improving journeys, and also by supporting jobs, enabling business growth and bringing our country closer together. These are the first steps towards creating a station in Euston of which both the local community and national passengers can be proud.”

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