Sheds demolished ahead of HS2 super-hub

HS2 has taken another leap forward with the help of early works contractors, Costain and Skanska, in West London with the demolition of the Great Western Sheds, over the past four months, in preparation for the construction of the new super-hub at Old Oak Common.

The sheds that were cleared in the demolition process were large enough to park more than 600 double decker buses inside and the contractors also managed to clear Heavy Maintenance and Wheel Lathe Sheds while also removing 40,000 tonnes of concrete slabs.

Furthermore, 98% of the material that was removed in the demolition of the sheds and associated buildings was recycled or reused, with surplus tracks being donated to heritage railways across the country and with the former train that was in the depot being carefully deconstructed and moved to Penzance where it has been installed in a new depot.

The Costain-Skanska (CSjv) Programme Director, Peter Jones stated: “The successful delivery of this challenging project shows just what can be done when you get the right team together.

“Alongside HS2 Ltd and Erith, I’m proud to say we’ve built a diverse team at Old Oak Common, including local people, female engineers, apprentices and people with previous careers in the armed forces. Our colleagues are working hard to encourage more people from under-represented groups to consider careers in our industry.”

The Old Oak Common super-hub will be a one kilometre long station that is designed to link HS2 with the Elizabeth Crossrail line services to Heathrow, central London, Wales, and the West of England. It is also predicted to be one of the busiest interchanges in the country, having approximately 250,000 commuters passing through every day.

So far, two thirds of the demolitions for HS2 in London have been completed, employing 1,500 people to assist in the project, and the resulting regeneration of the Old Oak area is predicted to create a further 65,000 job and 25,500 new homes as a part of the wider Old Oak and Royal Park development.

HS2 Ltd Programme Director, Matthew Botelle added: “HS2 will transform Old Oak Common, unlocking thousands of new jobs and homes around the station and improving journeys for millions of people travelling to Heathrow Airport, London, the Midlands and the North.

The sheds were built in 1906 by Great Western Railway to serve as a depot for steam locomotives.

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